KATHMANDU: Nepali women’s national team scored two goals and led the first half of a friendly match against Bangladesh at Dasharath Stadium on Thursday in the first of the two friendlies.

Meanwhile, Sabita Rana Magar scored the first goal for Nepal in the 14th minute.  Sabita scored from a header on a pass from right winger Bimala Chaudhary in her debut match in the national team.

Similarly, a 16-year-old Preeti Rai scored the second goal in the 24th minute. She made good use of midfielder Sharu Limbu’s pass and scored a beautiful goal from near the D-box area  Priti, who is also the captain of the Nepal U-15 team, scored a goal for Nepal in her debut match.

The second match is scheduled for September 12.

Earlier, the Nepali women’s football team had played friendly matches with Qatar, Kuwait, and Malaysia.

Nepal is playing with Bangladesh as part of the selection match for the AFC Women Asian Cup-2022 to be held in Uzbekistan. Under the Asian Cup selection round, Nepal belongs to group ‘F’. Hong Kong and the Philippines also belong to the same group.

All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) has informed that Nepal is playing against the Philippines on September 18 and with Hong Kong on September 21.

The top team in the group will be qualified to participate in the Asian Cup to be held in India next year. The Nepali women’s football team has been trained by Gary Philips.