KATHMANDU: Nepal made a dominant start in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers by crushing Laos 9–0 in their opening match held at Pakhtakor Stadium, Uzbekistan.
Captain Sabitra Bhandari ‘Samba’ led the charge with a stunning five-goal haul. She netted Nepal’s ninth goal in the 88th minute.
Anita Basnet, Rashmi Kumari Ghising, Anita KC, and Saru Limbu each contributed a goal, sealing Nepal’s emphatic win.
With this victory, Nepal secured 3 points in Group F. The match also marked Nepal women’s national team’s 100th international appearance, and it was Sabitra’s debut as team captain — becoming the 11th captain in Nepal’s women’s football history.
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