Nepal finished as runners-up in the WAFF Women's Championship as the team lost 5-3 on penalties against Jordan in an enthralling final at Jeddah on Thursday.
The title was decided on penalties after the regular 90 minutes ended in 2-2 draw. Gita Rana, Dipa Shahi and Hira Kumari Bhujel converted their penalties while Amrita Jaishi's shot was saved by Jordan's goalkeeper Sherin AlShalabe.
Nepal, playing without their talisman Sabitra Bhandari who joined her club in France, took the lead through Sabita Rana Magar, who had replaced Bhandari in the lineup, in the 29th minute. Nepal's defense held firm to fend off Jordan's attack but was eventually breached in the 73rd minute when Lana Feras levelled the score.
Jordan then stunned the hundreds of Nepali fans present in the stadium taking the lead through Sarah Abu Sabbah in the 89th minute and had thought they had secured the comeback win but the entertaining and thrilling matches still had plenty to offer which would take the match to penalties.
Nepal won the penalty in the second minute of added time and Gita Rana stepped up to calmly slot the ball home and level the score at 2-2.
But following Jaisi's saved penalty and Rouzbahan Fraij decisive penalty, the national women's team wait for their first trophy was prolonged further.
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