KATHMANDU: Nepali women’s national team defeated Bangladesh 2-1 in a friendly match played at Dasharath Stadium on Thursday in the first of the two friendlies.

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 Nepali team maintained pressure against Bangladesh in the second half as well.

In the 48th minute of the second half, the ball hit by Priti Rai in the pass of Saru Limbu for Nepal went straight into the hands of Bangladeshi goalkeeper Rupna Chakma.

In the 79th minute of the match, Nepali forward Anjina saved the shot of Bangladesh forward Shrimotie.

Tohura Khatun scored for Bangladesh in the 82nd minute to maintained the scored line 2-1.

After that, in the 84th minute of the match, Bimala Chaudhary’s header fell outside the frame. Injury time, Bangladesh captain Sabina Khatun’s free-kick could not get direction and Nepal won the match 2-1.

In today’s match, Priti Rai has been declared the best player.

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.