Nepal enter SAFF women’s football finals by beating Sri Lanka 3-0

Thushan JAYASURIYA

Late goals by Nepalese women soccerites helped them to qualify for the finals by beating Sri Lanka by three goals to nil in their semi-final of the SAFF Women’s Football Championship 2012 played at Longden Place yesterday.

Both teams tried hard to penetrate the opponents defence , but were unable to do so due to the tight defences of both teams The Sri Lankans had many chances of scoring in the first half, but poor finish deprived them of scoring.

There was no scoring till the 68th minute of the game when Nepal’s Centre Forward Anu Lama booted a goal to put the Nepalese ahead (1-0). Sri Lankans tried hard, but could not find the equalizer.

Nepal scored its second goal through their Right out Dipa Adikari in the 75th minute which stunned Sri Lankan soccerites.

The Sri Lankans couldn’t pose any threat to their rival. In the last minute of the match, Laxmi Kumari Paudel fired across penalty for Nepal to give them resounding 3 – 0 win over the host nation and place in Sunday’s final where they will confront the strong Indians at the same venue .

Meanwhile, defending champion India trounced Afghanistan by 11 goals to nil. Left out Kamala Devi scored the first goal for India.

Parameshwari Devi Irom (one), Left Centre Forward Sasmitha Malik (four), Romi Ashem(one), Skipper Bembem Devi (one), Left Full Back Suprava Samal(two), Pinky Magar (one) and Supriya Routray (one) were the others who contributed for India.

Incidentally, India are the defending champions of this tournament.