Nepal off to a winning start

Hosts Nepal made a winning start to the SAFF Women's Championship with a 3-0 win over Bhutan at the Sahid Rangasala Stadium in Biratnagar yesterday.

Manjali Kumari Yonjan scored the first goal for Nepal in 13th minute before Sabitra Bhandari doubled the lead three minutes later. Niru Thapa wrapped up the victory in the 54th minute.

The win puts the hosts in pole position in Group A ahead of the group's next match between Bangladesh and Bhutan tomorrow. Bangladesh will take on Nepal in the group's final match, which may decide the outcome of the group, on March 16.

Nepal had finished runners-up in the championship's first three editions but they lost the position to Bangladesh in the last edition held three years ago.

India will take on Maldives in the first match of Group B today.