Nepal nets 11 goals against Maldives
The match took place on Monday at the Dasharath Stadium in Tripureshwor, where Nepal secured an 11–0 win.
KATHMANDU: Nepal achieved a stunning victory in the second group stage match of the 2024 SAFF Women’s Championship against the Maldives, thanks to Rekha Poudel’s five goals.
The match took place on Monday at the Dasharath Stadium in Tripureshwor, where Nepal secured an 11–0 win, marking their biggest win against the Maldives in SAFF history. Previously, Nepal had defeated the Maldives 9–0 in 2016.
With this victory, Nepal rose to the top of Group B. They now have four points, the same as Bhutan, who held Nepal to a goalless draw in their first match. Bhutan also has four points after defeating the Maldives. The final group matches will see Nepal facing Sri Lanka and Bhutan taking on the Maldives to determine the group winners.
Rekha Poudel was the star of the match, scoring a remarkable five goals. Preeti Rai scored a hat-trick, while Sabitra Rana Magar, Amisha Karki, and Anita Karki each contributed one goal.
Nepal took the lead in the sixth minute when Preeti Rai scored from outside the penalty box following a quick corner by Sabitra. In the 29th minute, Nepal doubled their lead. Sabitra capitalized on a pass from Suru Limbu after winning the ball from a Maldivian defender and scored a long-range goal.
In the 32nd minute, Rekha Poudel made it 3–0 for Nepal, converting a cross from Rashmikumar Ghising near the six-yard box. Rekha then scored her second and the team’s fourth goal in the 42nd minute from Sabitra’s cross, giving Nepal a commanding lead by halftime.
Early in the second half, Rekha completed her hat-trick. After a pass deflected off a Maldivian defender, she regained control and scored with a one-touch finish. In the 65th minute, Preeti added another spectacular goal from outside the penalty box.
Substitute Anita Karki scored just a minute after coming on, finishing a one-on-one chance after receiving a pass from Anita Basnet.
Rekha scored her fourth goal in the 62nd minute and then added her fifth in the 77th minute.
Preeti completed her hat-trick in the 87th minute with a penalty, and Amisha Karki scored Nepal’s 11th goal shortly after, sealing the emphatic victory.
