Nepal to face India in final

COLOMBO, SEP 15 -

Nepal reached their second successive SAFF Women’s Championship final after registering a comfortable 3-0 victory over hosts Sri Lanka on Friday. Nepal will now face defending champions India, who entered the finals after an 11-0 drubbing of Afghanistan.

In the match played at the CR&FC grounds, goals from Anu Lama, Dipa Adhikari and Laxmi Poudel in the second half sealed the victory for Nepal.

 Stout defending from both teams resulted in a goalless first half. The closest Nepal came to scoring in the first was through a penalty in the 39th minute. Top-scorer Jamuna Gurung stepped up to take the spot kick but her shot was saved by the Sri Lankan keeper to ensure that the match stayed goalless.

The second half started with Nepal going all out on attack. Their resolute attacking paid in the 48th minute as Sanajna Rana’s powerful shot deflected off the post and Anu Lama pounced on the rebound to give Nepal the lead. Dipa Adhikari doubled the lead in the 76th minute, which all but assured a place in the finals for Nepal.

Laxmi Poudel’s penalty in injury time was the icing on the cake for Nepal as they ran out winners with a comfortable margin.

Nepal will now set their sights on Sunday’s finals as they aim to pry the title away from India. Nepal had come close to winning the inaugural SAFF Championship but were undone by the Indians in the final.

An impressive record throughout the tournament has made Nepal one of the favourites to win the title.

Coach Kishor KC wasn’t impressed with the team’s performance but expressed satisfaction at the fact that they have reached the finals.

“We have reached the final even though our performance was below par. The fact that we didn’t concede a goal is the major positive that I can take from this game,” said KC.

“Our goal of reaching the finals is complete and now winning the championship is the only thing left to do for us.”

 India, on the other made it through to the finals with a ruthless attacking display against Afghanistan in their semi-final match.

Bembem Devi and Kamala Devi scored a hat trick each while Sasmita Mallik struck twice, Prameshowri Devi, Pinky Bhompal and Romi Devi scored a goal each to complete an emphatic victory.

 


Source: http://www.ekantipur.com/2012/09/15/sports/nepal-to-face-india-in-final/360266/