‘The best time for Nepali women’s football’

Kathmandu, Feb. 9: Head coach Rajendra Tamang led the Nepali women’s team to the finals of two major tournaments in 2024: the 8th WAFF Women’s Championship and the 7th SAFF Women’s Championship. However, the squad failed to lift its maiden international championship on both occasions.

The Nepali women’s team has been unlucky in the finals in the earlier years as well; thus, their trophy cabinet has been empty. Nevertheless, coach Tamang sees high chances for the team to end the trophy drought and make history when Nepal hosts Myanmar, Lebanon and Kyrgyzstan in the Four Nation Women’s Football Tournament (February 17-26) at Dasharath Rangasala.

“In regards to Nepal’s women’s football, this is the best time ever. I had never imagined to see women’s football reach such heights. Furthermore, I feel the luckiest individual to have had the chance to lead this generation of footballers,” Tamang told The Rising Nepal.

Tamang had stated to resign as the head coach of the women’s team following the loss to Bangladesh in the SAFF final on October 30 last year. “I said many things and verbally resigned. However, I came to an understanding with the ANFA later and decided to continue,” said Tamang.

Talking to journalists on Saturday regarding the team’s preparations for the tournament, coach Tamang said, “Players have accepted my return and the dressing room is positive.”

Tamang had called 39 players to the first stage of the closed camp from February 1. Of them, three – Sabitra Bhandari aka Samba, Rekha Poudel and Anjila Tumbapo Subba – are busy in foreign leagues.

“In the first week of training, we trained for two days at Dasharath Rangasala. On Sunday, the players will be reduced to 30,” Tamang informed.

As per Tamang, Anjila, Rekha and Samba will be returning home for the Four Nation tournament on February 11, 14/15 and 16 respectively.

Analysing opponents

For coach Tamang and team, the major challenger will be Myanmar as the Asian country ranks 55th out of 195 countries. Kyrgyzstan and Lebanon rank 128th and 134th while the host Nepal ranks 103rd in the FIFA Women’s World Ranking.

“Myanmar is the highest-ranking team in the tournament, but it does not matter much as we are looking for the win. Myanmar also played two friendlies with India last year and did not have an easy time. So, we are positive to play good football and utilise our home advantage against Myanmar and the other two opponents,” said Tamang.

Myanmar won 2-1 on July 9 and played a 1-1 draw on July 12 when they hosted India last year.

Meanwhile, Tamang has not neglected Kyrgyzstan and Lebanon. “The women’s team defeated Kyrgyzstan by 8-2 in 2019. But it is not going to be easy now as they are not like before. Similar is the scenario with Lebanon. We defeated them in the WAFF Championship, so they will be hungrier for a win against us.”

Thus, Tamang is busy analysing the three opponents with the game videos he has managed with the help of football stakeholders. 

“While we are analysing our opponents, they are doing the same. Our players’ videos are everywhere on the Internet. Therefore, we have a greater challenge to identify our mistakes, improve our play and disallow the opponents from exploiting us,” said Tamang.

According to him, he has focused on improving the skill of keeping possession, making good passes and not taking decisions in hurry. 

All eyes on girls

The performance of the women’s team in the WAFF and SAFF tournaments last year increased their fanbase at home. The craze of Nepali football that was focused on men’s games is now turning towards women’s.

The video on the Four Nation Tournament published by the ANFA through social media on Thursday has been shared by thousands of netizens with the female diaspora encouraging each other to reach Dasharath Rangasala and support Nepali girls.

“The players are aware of the expectations placed upon them by Nepalis. They want to win for the people, the fans and the country. We are expecting a loud crowd in every game and it is going to be helpful for us. We will be needing extensive support,” Tamang told The Rising Nepal.