Bangladesh blow Nepal away 3-0 to top group in SAFF Under-15 Women’s Championship

Bangladesh girls have set up a semi-finals clash with hosts Bhutan with a commanding 3-0 victory over Nepal to finish the first round as Group B champions in SAFF Under-15 Women’s Championship.

Maria Manda shone with an assist and a goal in the match at the Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu on Monday.

The defending champions, who humiliated Pakistan in their first game with a 14-0 win last week, took the lead against Nepal in the stoppage time of the first half.

Tahura Khatun’s shot from Maria's cross found the net. Maria put the cross from a return pass after taking a short corner shot.

Bangladesh stretched the lead when Maria scored with a long-range shot from outside the box in the 51st minute.

Sajeda Khatun them took the game beyond Nepal's teach with a brilliant goal in the 67th minute.

Nepal had earlier beaten Pakistan 6-0 confirming the berths of their own and Bangladesh in the last four.

Monday’s match only decided their opponents in the semis.

Bangladesh will face Group A runners-up Bhutan on Thursday for a place in the final.

Nepal will play take in India in the other semi-final the same day.

Pakistan and Sri Lanka, who already exited, featured in the tournament for the first time.

Hosts Bangladesh had thumped Neapal 6-0 on way to winning the inaugural championship last year.

The team of Coach Golam Rabbani Chhoton went on to win another four-nation championship held in Hong Kong earlier this year.