The Indian Women’s Football team made a brilliant start in the qualifying tournament for next year’s London Olympics as they thrashed the hosts Bangladesh 3-0.

At the Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka yesterday, India’s Striker Bala Devi, bagged a superb hat-trick to give her team a confidence boosting victory on this initial stage of the competition.

The Indians notched up all the three goals in the second half after stalemate prevailed over the first 45 minutes in this Group-B encounter. India will now take on Uzbekistan in their second match on Tuesday.