Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Nepal defeated Sri Lanka 8-0 in its second match of the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on Wednesday.
Star striker Sabitra Bhandari, aka Samba, continued her rich form as she scored her second hat-trick in as many matches of the qualifiers. Samba scored three goals, while Gita Rana struck two, and Nisha Thokar, Rekha Poudel and Puja Rana contributed with a goal each.
Nepal had defeated Laos 9-0 in its opening match of the Qualifiers on Sunday. Samba scored four goals in that match.
Nepal will now face Uzbekistan in the final group-stage match on Saturday. A victory against Uzbekistan will secure Nepal’s spot in the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup to be held next year in Australia.
Uzbekistan is competing against Laos in its second match of the Qualifiers later today.
