Nepal reaches SAF semi-final

           

            Islamabad, Nov 16: Nepal have become the group champions and entered the semi-final of the Third Women's SAF Championship being held in Islamabad, Pakistan. This is the third time that Nepal has made it to the semi-final of this championship.

           

            Nepal beat Sri Lanka three goals to nil in a match played under the championship at the Jinnah Stadium in Islamabad today and booked their berth in the semi-final.

           

            Before this, Nepal had entered the semi-final in the First SAF Championship held in Bangladesh in 2010, beating the hosts 3-0. Similarly, Nepal had defeated hosts Sri Lanka 3-0 and entered the semi-finals of the Second SAF Championship held in Sri Lanka in 2012.

           

            Neeru Thapa scored a goal and Anu Lama two for the country in today's match. Thapa scored in the 16^th minute in the first half of the game.

           

            Nepal who were leading by one goal to nil until the first half, scored two goals in the second half. Team captain Lama scored a goal from a penalty kick in the 54^th minute. Nepal got the penalty after a Sri Lankan player fouled on Nepali player.

           

            Similarly, Lama again scored her second goal of the game in the 85^th minute on a cross-pass from Yasoda Lama.  Anu Lama has scored five goals in the ongoing championship while the number of her goals scored in international competitions has reached 33. RSS