KATHMANDU: Nepal began its SAFF U-20 Women’s Championship campaign on a high note with a commanding 6–1 victory over Bhutan in Dhaka on Friday.

The match, held at the Bashundhara Kings Arena, saw Nepal dominate from the start.

Purnima Rai was the star of the match, scoring four goals, while Senu Pariyar added two.

Nepal led 3–0 in the first half and added three more in the second. Bhutan managed to score a consolation goal in the 53rd minute through Kelden Wangmo.

Senu opened Nepal’s scoring in the 9th minute, converting a pass from Barsha Oli.

Purnima doubled the lead in the 18th minute, also from a Barsha assist.

Senu struck again late in the first half, making it 3–0 at the break.

Bhutan’s lone goal came early in the second half, but Purnima responded quickly with her second, extending the lead to 4–1.

She completed her hat-trick in the 83rd minute and added a fourth goal in the 88th, sealing Nepal’s emphatic win.

Nepal missed several other chances, with Sukriya Miya and Barsha Oli failing to capitalize on scoring opportunities.

With this win, Nepal has secured 3 points in the tournament.

In the day’s other match, hosts Bangladesh crushed Sri Lanka 9–1 to take the top spot in the standings due to superior goal difference.

Both Nepal and Bangladesh are tied on 3 points.

Nepal will next face Bangladesh on Sunday.

The championship features four teams and follows a double round-robin format, where each team plays the others twice.

The team with the highest points at the end will be crowned champion.