Nepal one step from Asian Cup Finals after crushing Sri Lanka

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, July 3: Nepal’s women’s football team is just one win away from securing a spot in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Finals after notching their second straight victory in the qualifiers in Tashkent, Uzbekistan on Wednesday.

Star striker Sabitra Bhandari netted her second hat-trick of the qualifiers as Nepal thrashed Sri Lanka 8–0, maintaining their perfect record against the Islanders. 

Gita Rana bagged a brace, while Nisha Thokar, Rekha Poudel and Puja Rana chipped in with a goal each. Nepal scored four goals in each half.

With six points from two matches, a win over hosts Uzbekistan in Saturday’s Group F decider would seal Nepal’s place in Australia, which will be fourth appearances in the continental tournament. The winner of each group is set to advance to the finals. 

Fresh from their 9–0 demolition of Laos, Nepal wasted little time at the Bunyodkor Stadium. Gita opened the floodgates in the 7th minute, heading in from Anita Basnet’s corner. Anita turned provider again in the 20th, capitalising on a defensive error to set up Sabitra.

Sabitra doubled her tally in the 42nd minute, finishing a clever cutback from Rashmi Kumari Ghising with a delicate lob. She completed her hat-trick in stoppage time with a powerful header. This was her second hat trick of goals after netting the four goals against Laos on June 29.

Nepal kept the pressure on after the break. Rashmi earned a penalty in the 54th minute after being fouled in the box, and Gita coolly converted for her second of the match.

The scoring spree continued as Nisha struck in the 62nd minute from another Anita corner. Substitute Rekha added Nepal’s seventh in the 78th minute before Puja rounded off the rout a minute before full time.

This was Nepal’s eighth win over Sri Lanka, extending their unbeaten run against their South Asian rivals. Sri Lanka also suffered a heavy 10–0 defeat to Uzbekistan in their opener.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh have qualified for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup for the first time. Their 2–1 win over Myanmar, combined with a 2–2 draw between Turkmenistan and Bahrain, paved the way for their historic debut in Australia.