Bala Devi nets hattrick in women’s Olympic qualifier

Bala Devi notched up a hattrick as the Indian women's football team trounced host Bangladesh 3-0 to make a brilliant start in the qualifying tournament fo next year's London Olympics.

Bala Devi notched up a hattrick as the Indian women's football team trounced host Bangladesh 3-0 to make a brilliant start in the qualifying tournament fo next year's London Olympics.

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The Indians scored all the three goals in the second half after a stalemate prevailed over the first 45 minutes of the Group B encounter at the Bangabandhu National Stadium here on Friday..

It was a totally different story after the break as striker Bala Devi, the star attraction of the match bagged a brilliant hattrick. The Manipuri striker opened the account in the 63rd minute before doubling the lead six minutes later.

Once they had their noses in front, there was no looking back for the Indians and it was once again Bala Devi who found the back of the net for the third time to complete her hattrick in the 84th minute.

India will now take on Uzbekistan in their second match on March 22.