News

2024-11-09

Farewell to national football team for Tajikistan and Afghanistan friendlies

ANFA has paid farewell to the national men's football team traveling to Tajikistan for the friendlies against Tajikistan and Afghanistan.

The national team will play friendlies against Tajikistan on November 13 followed by against Afghanistan on November 16.

ANFA President Pankaj Bikram Nembang, General Secretary Kiran Rai, Ex-Co members Purushottam Thapa, Manish Joshi and Maniraj Bista, Deputy General Secretary Damodar Bhattarai bid farewell to the team.

Final squad

Goalkeepers: Kiran Kumar Limbu (C), Deep Karki, Bishal Sunar

Defenders: Abhishek Limbu, Rohit Chand, Chiring Lama, Bimal Panday, Sanish Shrestha, Abhishek Waiba, Randip Paudyal, Anjal Maharjan

Midfielders: Rohan Karki, Mani Lama, Arik Bista, Arbind Rai, Bharat Khawas, Utsav Rai, Manish Dangi, Ayush Ghalan, Sumit Shrestha

Forwards: Jillespye Jung Karki, Anjan Bista, Nirajan Dhami

Officials: Rajivman Singh Basnet (Head of Delegation), Nabin Neupane (Head Coach), Chet Kumar Ghimire (Asst Coach), Nabin Maharjan (GK Coach), Ramesh Kumar Karki (Team Manager), Lokendra Kunwar (Physio), Shree Bikram Bhandari (Media), Pratap Bista (Media), Raju Tamang (Media), Surya Lamichhane Chhetri (Official), Sadan Thapa Magar (Official), Nakul Hamal (Official), Rajivman Singh Basnet (Head of Delegation), Gyan Bahadur Rai (Kitman)

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2024-10-31

Coach Rajendra Tamang leaves role after SAFF Women's Championship final loss

National women's team head coach Rajendra Tamang has announced he will step down from his post after the team's loss in the final of the SAFF Women's Championship 2024.

Nepal lost 2-1 to Bangladesh in the finals of the competition.

Tamang announced he will step down from his role while speaking in the post-match conference after the finals. He said he would now focus on club roles and won't be in charge of the national team.

Tamang had also guided Nepal to the finals of the WAFF Women's Championship 2024 where the team lost to Jordan.

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2024-10-30

Bangladesh claim second successive SAFF Women's Championship title

Bangladesh claimed their second successive SAFF Women’s Championship title, defeating Nepal 2-1 in the final on Wednesday at the sold-out Dasharath Stadium. The victory saw Bangladesh retain their crown after a hard-fought match that kept fans on the edge of their seats.

The first half ended in a goalless stalemate, but the match came to life in the second half. Bangladesh took the lead in the 53rd minute through Monika Chamka’s well-taken strike. However, Nepal responded just two minutes later, with Amisha Karki slotting home the equalizer to restore hope for the home crowd.

The game seemed poised for penalties, but in the 81st minute, Ritu Porna Chakma stunned the stadium by scoring the winner for Bangladesh, silencing the supporters of Nepal and securing her team’s victory.

Ritu Porna Chakma was named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament for her outstanding performances throughout the competition. Bangladesh goalkeeper Rupna Chakma earned the Best Goalkeeper award, while Bhutan’s Deki Lhazom was the tournament’s highest scorer, having netted nine goals. Bhutan also received the Fair Play Award for their exemplary conduct throughout the tournament.

In the closing ceremony, prizes were handed out by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Urban Development Prakash Man Singh, Youth and Sports Minister Teju Lal Chaudhary, National Sports Council Member Secretary Tanka Lal Ghising, and ANFA President Pankaj Bikram Nembang.

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2024-10-27

Nepal defeat India on penalties, to face Bangladesh for title

Nepal triumphed over India 4-2 in a dramatic penalty shootout to secure a place in the final of the 2024 SAFF Women’s Championship, where they will face Bangladesh for the title. The final will be a repeat of the 2022 SAFF Women’s Championship, where Nepal lost 3-1 to Bangladesh.

The semi-final was an intense and hard-fought affair, lasting nearly three hours. Nepal found themselves down to 10 players after Rekha Poudel was shown a second yellow card in the 51st minute, which she vehemently protested, believing the decision was incorrect. Just moments later, India took the lead through a brilliant strike by Sangita Basfore in the 62nd minute. However, as India celebrated, Nepal’s Preeti Rai seized on a loose ball and scored into an open net. Replays showed the match official had blown the whistle for a restart, and Rai's goal was controversially ruled out, sparking protests from the Nepali players and fans.

The match was disrupted for over an hour as the situation was resolved. Once play resumed, Nepal quickly responded, with Sabitra Bhandari scoring the equalizer in the 66th minute, sending the match into extra time.

Nepal’s substitute goalkeeper, Anjana Rana Magar saved two spot kicks from India's Ashalata Devi Loitongbam and Chanu Sorokhaibam. Sabitra Bhandari, Gita Rana, Sabita Rana Magar, and Amisha Karki all converted their penalties confidently, securing Nepal’s 4-2 win in the shootout.

In the other semi-final, Bangladesh defeated Bhutan 7-1 to reach their second consecutive final. Nepal will now face the defending champions, Bangladesh, in a highly anticipated final on Wednesday.

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