Nepal most likely to end 2nd round of Asian qualifier for WC without a win

Pathari-Shanishchare, Mar. 23: Defeating Laos in the First Round in October 2023, Nepal progressed to the Second Round of Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 2026. 

Nepal was among the 36 countries divided into nine groups of four teams each. Nepal was included in Group I alongside the UAE, Bahrain and Yemen. 

The group-stage matches of the Second Round have two legs (home-away format) and all 36 teams played one leg against the other three opponents in the group by March 22. Nepal tasted the first defeat of the Second Round against the UAE in the latter’s home on November 16, 2023, and to Yemen in the home match on November 21, 2023. The UAE scored four goals and Yemen scored two past Nepal in the first leg.

Recently, playing the third group match, Nepal lost to Bahrain by 5-0 in the first leg on March 22, 2024. Nepal faces Bahrain, the UAE and Yemen in the second leg on March 27, June 6 and June 11 respectively. 

Trailing by several goals against the three opponents, Nepal has not been able to score a single goal in three matches. Thus, Nepali football fans have lost all hope of seeing the national team progress forward toward the World Cup dream by making a comeback against the teams in the second leg.

Moreover, the three teams in the group rank far higher than Nepal in football proving that they are stronger than Nepal. While Nepal ranks 175, the UAE, Bahrain and Yemen rank 69, 82 and 151 respectively in the FIFA Men’s Team Ranking. 

The UAE has won all three first-leg matches and stands at the top of the group with nine points. Bahrain has lost one match and won two to earn six points and stay in the second position. Yemen has one win in three matches by defeating Nepal. On the other hand, losing all three matches, Nepal has not earned a single point yet. 

5-0 lost to Bahrain

Vincenzo Alberto Annese had prepared the team for the tough competition against Bahrain. However, Nepal conceded the first goal without the players even being able to cover their positions properly after the match kicked off. Mahdi Al-Humaidan opened the account for Bahrain in the second minute as the defenders could not stop him from receiving a long through pass. 

After conceding the first goal, Annese’s side started playing in a 5-4-1 defensive formation. The formation prevented Bahrain from getting past the defenders easily. 

Goalie Kiran Kumar Limbu exceptionally saved a shot by Mohamed Marhoon to prevent a two-goal lead in the 8th minute. However, Bahrain earned a corner from the save and capitalised on it as Sayed Baquer scored the second in the 9th minute.

By the 15th minute, Anjan Bista was subbed out due to an injury to his back. 

Keeping Bahrain strikers in check, Nepal was able to hold until the final fourth minute of added time in the first half. Meanwhile, before the first-half whistle was blown, Ali Madan made it 3-0. Nepal started more confidently in the second half. The team was able to prevent further goals until the last few minutes remained. Nevertheless, Bahrain’s players continued pressuring and scored in the final minutes to end the match 5-0.

With Ibrahim Al-Khatal making it 4-0 in the 87th minute, Bahrain earned a penalty in the added time after the end of the 90 minutes. Ismail Abdullatif converted the penalty into a goal and the score stayed 5-0 with the final whistle blown by the match official. 

Nepal was able to make some good combinations, but the players could not trouble Bahrain’s goalkeeper throughout the match.  

The team is most-likely unable to bounce back against the three teams in the second-leg, Nepali fans have expected the team to at least play better and score a few goals past the 

better opponents.