Nepal, July 11 -- nspired by a hat-trick from Purnima Rai, the Nepali women's team made a strong start in the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) U-20 Women's Championship underway in Bangladesh.
In the opening match held on Friday at the Bashundhara Kings Arena in Dhaka, Nepal thrashed Bhutan 6-1. Purnima scored four goals, including a hat-trick, while Senu Pariyar netted two. Nepal led 3-0 in the first half.
Striker Barsha Oli played a key role in all three first-half goals. In the 9th minute, Senu gave Nepal the lead with a beautiful strike after Barsha passed the ball forward as Bhutan's goalkeeper Pema Yangzom moved out of position. Senu scored with a right-footed overhead shot from outside the penalty box, sending the ball into t...