News

2025-11-18

Resilient Nepal fall short as Malaysia clinch 1–0 victory

Malaysia had to work hard before edging Nepal 1-0 in their AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Qualifiers Final Round Group F tie at Bukit Jalil National Stadium on Tuesday.
With Vietnam only playing Laos on Wednesday, Malaysia moved six points clear at the top with the victory.

Malaysia were the early aggressors, Nooa Laine sending Dion Cools through in the second minute with the Cerezo Osaka defender slicing his shot narrowly wide.

The home side suffered a setback seven minutes later when key attacker Arif Aiman was forced off with an injury, with Faisal Halim introduced into the fray.

Nepal lived dangerously by sitting off Malaysia with chances falling the way of Cools and Safawi Rasid but goalkeeper Kiran Kumar Limbu dealt with those efforts comfortably.

Malaysia’s threat in the air was also prominent with a Corbin Ong bullet header that went just wide before Kumar Limbu came to the rescue of Nepal with a reflex save from a point-blank Cools header in the 37th minute.

After the interval, Kiran Limbu once again prevented Malaysia from taking the lead in the 51st minute, pulling off a one-handed save to push away Stuart Wilkin’s low strike.

The Nepal custodian, however, could do nothing five minutes later when Safawi’s through pass found Faisal, who calmly slotted past the advancing Kiran Limbu to put Malaysia in front.

The momentum was firmly in Malaysia’s favour but the Southeast Asian side were wasteful in front of goal with efforts from Safawi, Muhammad Ubaidullah, Faisal and Laine off target.

Fouls in quick succession by Laken Limbu on Harith Haikal saw the midfielder receive two cautions and concede penalty which Paulo Josue fired over in stoppage time but Malaysia still closed out the win.

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2025-11-18

Laligurans Association Club clinches ANFA President League 2025 title

Laligurans Association Club lifted the ANFA President League 2025 title after edging past Chitlang FC 3–1 in a tense penalty shootout at Gauritar Stadium, Hetauda, on Friday. The championship decider remained goalless in regulation time, with both sides displaying disciplined defending and missed opportunities, but Laligurans kept their nerve when it mattered most to secure the coveted trophy. As champions, Laligurans bagged a cash prize of NRs 1 million, while runners-up Chitlang FC received NRs 500,000.

The tournament also celebrated outstanding individual performers who made a notable impact throughout the competition. Laligurans’ Anzal Shrestha was awarded the Best Goalkeeper, earning NRs 25,000 for his exceptional reflexes and leadership at the back.

The league’s Highest Scorers—Ashish Gurung (Laligurans Association Club), Sujan Dangol (Naba Jana Jagriti Yuba Club), and Anish Gharti Chhetri (Kakre Bihar Club)—each received NRs 25,000 for their consistent attacking brilliance.

Chitlang FC’s Sishir Lekhi claimed the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award along with a cash prize of NRs 50,000.

The Fair Play Award went to Naba Jana Jagriti Yuba Club of Simara, who were recognized for their exemplary discipline and sportsmanship, receiving NRs 50,000.

Prizes and awards were distributed by Bagmati Province Chief Minister Indra Bahadur Baniya, ANFA President Pankaj Bikram Nembang, Vice Presidents Dawa Lama and Deepak Khatiwada, General Secretary Kiran Rai, among others, adding further prestige to the closing ceremony.

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2025-11-17

ANFA U-14 Inter-School Football Tournament concludes in Kailali

The ANFA U-14 Inter-School Football Tournament concluded successfully in Ghodaghodi Municipality, Kailali, under the chief guestship of Mayor Khadak Raut.

In the boys’ category, Shree Mohanyal Namuna Secondary School from Bhajani, Kailali emerged as the champions, while Shree Satyawati Academy from Godawari–Attariya finished as the runners-up.

In the girls’ category, Shree Durga Bhawani Secondary School of Godawari Municipality, Syaula secured the title, with Shree Kanti Rajya Laxmi Secondary School of Ghodaghodi Municipality declared the runners-up.

The tournament also recognized outstanding individual performances, with Suman Adhikari of Satyawati Academy and Suchana Nyaopane of Kanti Rajya Laxmi Secondary School being awarded Star of the Tournament in the boys’ and girls’ categories respectively.

The highest goal scorers were Bhuvan Bohara from Mohanyal Secondary School (boys) and Saraswoti Bisht (girls).

The Outstanding Coach awards went to Santosh Karki of Satyawati Academy (boys) and Rajesh Saud of Durga Bhawani Secondary School (girls).

Chaitanya Pathshala and Om New Star, Lamki received the Fair Play awards in the boys’ and girls’ categories respectively, while Krishna Nepali of Mohanyal Secondary School and Kamala Thakulla of Durga Bhawani Secondary School were honored as Best Goalkeepers.

The event saw notable presence of dignitaries including Sudurpaschim Province Sports Council Member-Secretary Lok Bahadur Khadka, Sudurpaschim Province Football Association Vice-President Binod Bishta, and various elected representatives.

The program was chaired by Raj Bahadur Thapa, Acting President of the Kailali District Football Association.

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2025-11-15

Four teams qualify for National League as President's League group stage concludes

HETAUDA — The group-stage matches of the ANFA President League wrapped up on Friday at Gauritar Stadium, confirming four semifinalists who have also secured their places in the upcoming National League.

The tournament, organized by the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA), featured 10 district champion teams. All participating teams earned their spot in the President League after progressing through their respective provincial leagues. The teams were drawn into two groups of five and competed in a single round-robin format.

Under the league-cum-knockout structure, the top two teams from each group automatically qualified for the National League, where the top six clubs from the 2023 Martyr’s Memorial ‘A’ Division League await. These four group-stage qualifiers also progressed to the semifinals of the President League.

Laligurans Association Club and Chitlang FC emerged as the top two sides from Group A, while Nawa Jana Jagriti Yuwa Club and Kakre Bihar Youth Club secured the top two positions in Group B.

As per the tournament rules, each group winner will face the runner-up from the opposite group in the semifinals, with the winners meeting in the final to contest the President League title.

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