Dhaka, Mar 19: Bala Devi notched up a hat-trick as the Indian women's football team trounced host Bangladesh 3-0 to make a brilliant start in the qualifying tournament for next year's London Olympics.

The Indians notched up all the three goals in the second half after stalemate prevailed over the first 45 minutes of the Group B encounter at the Bangabandhu National Stadium here yesterday.

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

Once the 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 hat-trick in the 84th minute. India will now take on Uzbekistan in their second match on Mar 22.

PTI