ANFA: All Nepal Football Association

2025-06-10

Laos stun Nepal in Qualifiers second match

Nepal faced a 2-1 defeat against hosts Laos in their second group-stage match of the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers on Tuesday.

The match, played at the National Stadium in Vientiane, saw the home side take an early lead in the 13th minute. Thongkhamsavath headed home from a corner to give Laos a 1-0 advantage. Nepal struggled to find rhythm in the first half and failed to create clear scoring opportunities, allowing Laos to maintain their lead going into the break.

Just four minutes into the second half, Nepal were dealt another blow when Peter Phanthavong doubled Laos’ lead with a well-taken goal, putting the hosts firmly in control at 2-0.

Nepal pulled one back in the 71st minute after Manish Dangi was fouled inside the box, earning a penalty. Dangi stepped up and calmly converted the spot kick to reduce the deficit to 2-1. Despite pressing for an equalizer in the remaining minutes, Nepal were unable to break down Laos’ defense and had to settle for their second straight loss in the tournament.

Nepal had lost their first Qualifiers match against Malaysia by 2-0.

Ahead of the qualifiers, Nepal had played a goalless draw against Hong Kong in an international friendly in Hong Kong.

Photo credit: Lao Football Federation

2025-06-05

Nepal play goalless draw against Hong Kong in International Friendly

Nepal played out a goalless draw against Hong Kong in an international friendly match held at the Hong Kong National Stadium.

Despite creating more chances, Hong Kong failed to find the breakthrough, and the match ended without any goals from either side. Nepal, who were put under pressure at various stages, held firm defensively to secure the draw.

The visitors were reduced to 10 men in second-half injury time after Mani Lama received his second yellow card and was sent off. Head coach Matt Rus made several changes in the second half, handing debut to Srijan Raj Gautam, who came on as a substitute.

Nepal will now face Laos on June 10 in their next match of the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers group stage. Nepal had earlier lost their opening Qualifiers match to Malaysia. Nepal have been drawn alongside Laos, Vietnam and Malaysia in the Qualifiers.

Photo courtesy: Football Federation of Hong Kong

2025-06-02

Nepal fall 2-0 to Thailand in International Friendly

Nepal’s national women’s football team faced a 2-0 defeat against Thailand in an international friendly match held at Thammasat Stadium in Bangkok on Monday. The match, part of Nepal’s preparations for the upcoming AFC Women’s Asia Cup Qualifiers in Uzbekistan, saw the hosts score twice in the second half to secure the win.

The first half remained goalless, with both teams testing each other’s defenses but failing to find the breakthrough. Nepal put in a disciplined performance early on, holding off several Thai attacks and creating a few promising moments of their own. However, the deadlock was broken in the 59th minute when Chatchawan Rodthong curled in a well-taken free-kick.

The goal shifted the momentum in Thailand’s favor, and Nepal struggled to regain control of the game. Their attempts to push forward left them vulnerable at the back, and Thailand capitalized again in the 75th minute when Jiraporn Mongkoldee found the net, effectively sealing the match.

Nepal had earlier faced Thailand in a practice match on May 30.

Photo courtesy: Thailand Football Association

2025-06-02

Final squad for Hong Kong and Laos match confirmed

National men’s team head coach Matt Ross has announced his final squad for the upcoming friendly against Hong Kong and the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers match against Laos.

Nepal will face Hong Kong on June 5, followed by the Qualifiers match against Laos on June 10.

The national team will fly to Hong Kong on Tuesday and then travel to Laos after the friendly.

Squad: Abhishek Limbu, Αnanta Tamang, Anjan Bista, Arik Bista, Ayush Ghalan, Bimal Pandey, Bishal Sunar (GK), Deep Karki (GK), Gillespye Jung Karki, Kiran Chemjong (GK), Kritish Ratna Chhunju, Kushal Deuba, Laken Limbu, Mani Kumar Lama, Manish Dangi, Rohit Chand, Rohan Karki, Sanish Shrestha, Srijan Raj Gautam, Suman Shrestha, Sumit Shrestha, Subash Thakuri Bam, Yogesh Gurung