SAG football:Nepal defeats Sri Lanka

Nepal player surrounded by Sri Lankans in a match that the latter lost 4-0 to the Himalayan kingdom on Saturday at JN stadium in Shillong — ***Nepal player surrounded by Sri Lankans in a match that the latter lost 4-0 to the Himalayan kingdom on Saturday at JN stadium in Shillon***g

SHILLONG, FEB 13: Nepal ended their 12^th South Asian Games women’s football league campaign undefeated ahead of the final with a comprehensive win of 4-0 goals against Sri Lanka on Saturday at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Shillong. Sabitra Bhandari gave Nepal command over the match with a brace while Sri Lanka, who also end their campaign with all losses, conceded an early own goal to build a platform for their opponents.

An early 4^th minute error by Sri Lanka’s A Perera saw the defender head into her own goal to hand their favoured opposition the lead. Nepal dominated throughout the match, plundering past the Sri Lankan midfield and defence to fire away shots on goal. In the 27^th minute, Niru Thapa failed to convert a cross delivered by Anita Basnet from the right while another opportunity was denied in added time when Sabitra Bhandari sent a low left footer only for it to be saved by a diving A Wijerathna.

Sri Lankan goal keeper Wijerathna was kept busy in the first half but she did considerably well to prevent Nepal from scoring any further goals. However, Sabitra Bhandari beat the Sri Lankan defence in the 52^nd minute before finding the top of goal to make it 2-0 for Nepal. Bhandari’s second goal came in the 63^rd minute with a chipped ball over Wijerathna to put Nepal in total control.

Three minutes later, Wijerathna made a brilliant save to stop a shot by Dipa Rai. But she was beaten in the 80^th minute when Sapna Lama scored following a rebound off the woodwork as Nepal finished 4-0 at the end of the match.

Nepal’s assistant coach Kumar Katuwal at the post match conference said that the match served as preparation for the final while adding that a strong defense is a key factor to winning. The assistant coach also expressed surprise with India drawing Nepal in their last match as SAF and SAG champions.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s coach M Jusmin said his midfielders didn’t give their best performance which is what cost them the match. Jusmin was also appreciative of the hospitality served in Shillong during the South Asian Games as his team prepare to conclude their tourney here before heading home.-By Our Reporter