Striker Huynh Nhu scored twice to help Vietnam trounce hosts Nepal 5-1 in their opening game of the first qualifying round for the 2024 Paris Olympics on Wednesday. 

The gap between Vietnam’s 33rd place and Nepal’s 100th standing in the world ranking showed at Dasharath Rangasala Stadium in Kathmandu, Nepal during the game as the visitors dominated right from the start.

As a result, Nepal conceded three goals in the first half.

Pham Hai Yen opened the scoring for Vietnam when she headed into the far corner following a cross from Nguyen Thi Tuyet Dung in the 11th minute.

Vietnam doubled the tally in the 35th minute after Nepali defender Samikshya Ghimire handled the ball inside the penalty box and Huynh Nhu made no mistake from the spot. 

The visitors made it 3-0 three minutes later as Nepali defender Amrita Jaishi gifted a goal. 

Nguyen Thi Tuyet Dung passed the ball to Nguyen Thi Bich Thuy and the Vietnamese midfielder released it to the center but the ball deflected off Jaishi and went in to goalkeeper Anjila Tumbapo Subba’s surprise.

Vietnam made it 4-0 three minutes into the second half when skipper Huynh Nhu found the back of the nets following a cross from Hoang Thi Loan. 

Sabitra Bhandari cut the deficit for the home team in the 79th minute.

Fed by Saru Limbu with a through ball at the edge of the box, Bhandari shot past advancing goalkeeper Khong Thi Hang.

Nguyen Thi Thanh Nha scored a wonder goal to restore a four-goal cushion for Vietnam when she found the back of the net from 35 yards out as Nepali goalkeeper Subba failed to judge the ball.

Following the 5-1 play, the two teams are scheduled to meet again in a rematch on Saturday.

Seven groups were drawn in the first round of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) women’s football qualification for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

Group C originally had four teams, but after Palestine and Afghanistan withdrew, Vietnam and Nepal have to play each other twice to decide who will advance.

The winners of each group progress to the second round, where they are to be joined by the five highest-seeded Asian teams -- North Korea, Japan, Australia, China, and South Korea.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!