By Sachit Subba ⢠Football ⢠Jul 02, 2025 15:07 PM ⢠324 views
Nepal's women's national football team sent a clear and resounding message to the rest of Group F in the AFC Women's Asian Cup qualifiers, cruising to a commanding 8-0 victory over South Asian rivals Sri Lanka at the Milli Stadium in Tashkent on Wednesday. And once again, it was captain and talismanic striker Sabitra Bhandariâaffectionately known as "Samba"âwho stole the show with a second consecutive hat-trick. Bhandari's prolific form in front of the goal, now totalling seven goals in just two matches, has been the driving force behind Nepal's back-to-back wins. Following a 9-0 demolition of Laos in their group opener, Wednesday's eight-goal blitz has propelled Nepal to the top of Group F, placing them within touching distance of a historic qualification for the 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup in Australia.
First-Half Rout Led by Samba's Brilliance
Nepal wasted no time asserting dominance. The opening goal came in the 9th minute, when veteran midfielder Anita Basnet floated in a pinpoint corner that defender Geeta Rana nodded home unmarked. Four minutes later, Basnet again turned provider, cutting the ball back across the box for Bhandari to slot in with a first-time finish.
Bhandari wasn't done. In the 42nd minute, she latched onto Rashmi Kumari Ghising's low cross, guiding a looping one-touch shot into the top corner. Deep into first-half stoppage time, Bhandari completed her hat-trick in style, rising to meet Savita Rana Magar's cross with a precise header to give Nepal a 4-0 halftime lead.
It was her second straight hat-trick in the competition, after netting four goals in the opener.
Goals Keep Flowing in Second Half
The momentum didn't waver after the break. In the 53rd minute, Nepal earned a penalty after Ghising was fouled inside the box. Geeta Rana, calm under pressure, stepped up and converted with ease for her second of the match. Then came a landmark moment for Nisha Thokar, who headed in a corner from Basnet in the 62nd minute to notch her first-ever international goal. That was Nepal's sixth of the evening, and more was yet to come. In the 78th minute, substitutes Pooja Rana and Rekha Poudel combined to devastating effect. Pooja's well-placed cross was powered in by Rekha's header. A minute before full time, Pooja found the net herself, sealing the 8-0 masterclass.
High-Stakes Decider Awaits
Nepal's fate now hinges on Saturday's final group clash against hosts Uzbekistan, who are also unbeaten. The winner of that match will seal direct qualification to the 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup, set to be hosted in Australia. Having scored 17 goals in two matches without conceding, Nepal carry momentum, belief, and a golden opportunity to end their long wait for a continental breakthrough. "This team is writing a new chapter," Coach Patrick de Wilde noted. "But the job isn't finishedâwe know the biggest test is yet to come." If recent performances are anything to go by, Nepal, led by the unstoppable Sabitra Bhandari, are ready to rise to the occasion.
