Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Nepal has progressed to the semifinal of the 2024 SAFF Women’s Championship as the group leader, defeating Sri Lanka 6-0 at the Dasharath Stadium in Kathmandu on Thursday.
Both Bhutan and Nepal finished the group stage with seven points. However, Nepal topped the group on goal difference.
Rekha Poudel scored a brace, while Sabitra Bhandari, Rashmi Kumari Ghishing, Sabita Rana Magar, and Amisha Karki each scored a goal for Nepal.
Nepal scored four goals in the first half of the game. Sabita Rana Magar opened the scoring for Nepal in the 8th minute when she connected to Sabitra’s pass.
Sabitra doubled Nepal’s lead three minutes later when she scored a beautiful goal from 25 yards. Rekha scored Nepal’s third in the 13th minute of the game when she tapped in Amisha’s beautiful cross from the six-yard box.
Rekha scored her second and Nepal’s fourth in the 37th minute when Sabitra’s powerful shot deflected off her.
Amisha scored Nepal’s fifth goal at the beginning of the second half when she connected to Sabitra’s beautiful cross.
Rashmi scored in injury time of the second half with a header off Anita Basnet’s corner kick to put Nepal ahead of Bhutan on goal difference.
Nepal will now face India in the semifinal, while Bhutan will take on Bangladesh. Both matches will be played on Sunday.
Earlier, Bangladesh thrashed the Maldives 13-0 in its last group stage match.
