DHAKA, March 20, 2023 (BSS)- Shilji Shahji slammed a brilliant hat-trick as
favorite India made winning start in the SAFF U-17 Women's Championship
beating defending champions Nepal by 4-1 goals held today (Monday) at
Birshreshtha Shaheed Sepoy Mohammad Mostafa Kamal Stadium in the city's
Kamalapur.

Apart from, Shilji Shahji's hat-trick with three goals, Pooja supported her
with a lone goal for India who led the first half by 3-1 goals.

Barsha Oli netted a lone goal for Nepal.
 
In the day's match, Shilji put India ahead early in the 10th minute and she
doubled the led scoring her second goal in the 40th minute of the match.

Pooja further widened India's margin scoring the third goal in the 41st
minute while after the breather Barsha Oli reduced the margin scoring a lone
goal for Nepal in the 54th minute of the match.

Shilji completed her hat-trick scoring her third and fourth goal for India in
the 81st minute of the match.

Nepal, however, tried heart and soul to stage a fight back in the match, but
they failed to convert any in the remaining proceeding.

India will play their next match against host Bangladesh on March 24 while
Nepal will meet Bhutan in their next match scheduled to be held on Wednesday
(March 22). Both the matches will be held at the same venue.

Five teams -- host Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal and Russia U-17 women's
national football teams-- are participating in the round robin league format.