News

2022-09-06

Sabitra, Anita braces help Nepal to opening win over Bhutan

Nepal defeated Bhutan 4-0 to begin their chase for the elusive SAFF Women's Championship title with a comfortable win on Tuesday.

In the pouring rain at Dasharath Stadium, Sabitra Bhandari gave Nepal the lead in the 12th minute when Bhutan goalkeeper failed to clear the ball. Nepal had to wait until the second half for the second when Bhandari again finished after receiving a clever pass from substitute Rekha Poudel.

Anita Basnet added the team's third in the 73rd scoring from outside the box after beating two defenders. She scored her second in the 85th minute by controlling the punched ball from Bhutan's goalkeeper.

Speaking in the post-match, Nepal's head coach Kumar Thapa said the pouring rain made it difficult for the team to score early in the game. "The weather is outside our control and it hindered us in the first half. We came back in the second," said Thapa.

Thapa said illness to key team member just before the match also changed their plans. "We played with Anita KC after Manjali Yonjan was down with fever. But our performance was still good despite the change," said Thapa.

Dipa Shahi, Amisha Karki and Samikshya Ghimire debuted in their national colors against Bhutan. Shahi started in the midfield while Karki was paired up front alongside goalscorer Bhandari. Ghimire came on the pitch in the 74th minute to replace Hira Kumari Bhujel.

Nepal will now play their second match against Sri Lanka on September 12.

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2022-09-07

ANFA bids farewell to U-20 national team

All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) bade farewell to the U-20 national football team flying to Bahrain for the AFC U-20 Asian Cup Qualifiers.

The farewell was organized amid a special function at ANFA Complex in Satdobato.

Chief Guest former minister Mohan Bahadur Basnet, ANFA President Pankaj Bikram Nembang, Senior Vice President Bir Bahadur Thapa, Vice President Dipak Khatiwada, General Secretary Kiran Rai, Ex-Co members Mahendra Chhetri, Tika Lama, Bharat Bahadur Budh Thapa and former members were present in the farewell ceremony.

The national U-20 side have been drawn alongside Qatar, Bahrain, Bangladesh and Bhutan in the AFC U-20 Asian Cup Qualifiers to be held from September 10 to 18 in Bahrain.

Nepal will play its first match against Bhutan on September 10 and second match against Qatar on September 12. The third match will be against Bahrain on September 14 and fourth against Bangladesh on September 18.

Final squad: Aashish Rai, Abhishek Waiba, Ajay Chaudhary, Amar Shrestha, Dipesh Gurung, Ishwor Gurung, Ishwor Gurung, Jaan Tamli, Janmejay Dhami, Jiyarat Sheikh, Kritish Ratna Chhunju, Managya Nakarmi, Niranjan Malla, Raj Thokar, Rakesh Biwhwokarma, Rohan Khadgi, Sandeep Karki, Shrijan Dani, Sugam Suwal, Sumit Shrestha, Top Bahadur Rana, Sanjeev Lama, Ayush Ghalan (C), Shyansu Bhusal

Officials: Megh Raj KC (Head coach), Ujjwal Manandhar (GK Coach), Bal Gopah Shahu (Coach), Purushottam Thapa (Head of Delegations), Bhagawan Bahadur Darlami Magar (Team Official), Umesh Dahal (Media Officer), Lokendra Kunwar (Physiotherapist), Diwakar Ghale Gurung (Team Manager)

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2022-09-07

ANFA Vice President Lama discusses footballing matter with ambassador to Austria

ANFA Vice President Dawa Lama met Nepali Ambassador to Austria Bharat Kumar Regmi at the latter's office on Tuesday.

During the half an hour discussion, Lama briefed ambassador Regmi about the footballing activities in Nepal. "I told him Nepal is hosting the SAFF Women's Championship from September 6 in Kathmandu and the upcoming friendly against Bangladesh on September 27," Lama said over the phone.

Lama said the ambassador was delighted to meet someone from Nepali football fraternity. "He said it might be the first time any person from Nepal discussed footballing matter with him," said Lama.

Regmi assured his help to Nepali football from his capacity. "He said he would discuss the issue with the government upon his return to Nepal," Lama said.

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2022-09-04

Sports Minister Gahatraj to inaugurate SAFF Women's Championship 2022

Minister for Youth and Sports Maheshwor Jung Gahatraj will inaugurate the opening session of SAFF Women's Championship in Kathmandu.

ANFA President Pankaj Bikram Nembang and General Secretary Kiran Rai had invited Minister Gahatraj for the opening session which he readily accepted.

The regional tournament begins from Tuesday at Dasharath Stadium in Kathmandu. Hosts Nepal take on Bhutan in the opening match that begins at 5:30 pm.

All the participating teams have arrived for the competition.

The matches will be live on AP1 Television. Tickets can be bought from Paywell.

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