Nepal, Myanmar start with win at International Women’s C’ship

Kathmandu, Feb. 18: Nepal and Myanmar began their International Women’s Championship campaign with a win over Kyrgyzstan and Lebanon at Dasharath Rangasala, Kathmandu, on Monday, respectively. 

Myanmar defeated Lebanon 3-1 in the tournament opener while Nepal beat Kyrgyzstan 1-0 in the day's second game. 

With packed eastern and VIP stands of the 15,000-capacity stadium, the home side pressured the visitors in front of a loud crowd. 

Nepal opened the goal tally in the 10th minute, in front of 7,160 viewers in the stands, thanks to a header by Bimala Chaudhary; it was assisted with a cross by Sabita Rana Magar. 

Chaudhary also tried her hand to score, like Maradona, in the 52nd minute, but she only earned a yellow.

Chances did not end in the first half, but Nepal failed to capitalise on several of them. It would have been 2-0 if the woodwork had not stopped two consecutive shots as the first half’s two-minute added time was nearing its end.

Dilnura Abibulla Kyzy, Kyrgyzstan’s goalie was often troubled, but she saved her team on most of those occasions. 

As the Nepali defence line was not troubled much in the first half and Nepal’s finish was not effective, head coach Rajendra Tamang subbed off right back Bimala BK and brought striker Sabitra Bhandari aka Samba in the beginning of the second half.

Nepal created more and more chances with every passing minute, but Kyrgyzstan kept their composure and prevented the lead from extending. The home side also missed some clear chances to score.

The comfortable Nepal in the second half was, nevertheless, getting more pressure from the opponents in the second half. Keeper Anjila Tumbapo Subba made a major save to prevent the equaliser while the defenders were even fouling deliberately. 

On the other hand, Myanmar, the highest-ranked team in the tournament, opened with a 3-1 win over Lebanon. 

Win Theingi Tun put Myanmar ahead in the 57th minute with a stunning long-range strike, but Layla Iskandar equalised in the 60th minute after dribbling past goalkeeper Myo Mya Mya Nyein to score in an open net.

Myanmar regained control with two quick goals in the 73rd and 75th minutes. Shwe Yee Tun scored a header, and San Thaw Thaw tapped in after Myo parried a powerful shot. Both were subbed in at the beginning of the second half, a tactical move that benefitted Tetsuro Uki’s side in the first game. 

Dominating possession with 56% and firing 34 shots (15 on target), Myanmar outplayed Lebanon, who managed just three attempts. Myo was kept busy in goal, making crucial saves to keep the margin from widening.

“Firstly, I want to express my special thanks to the audience from Nepal and Myanmar. Because of the weather, in the first half, we struggled a little bit. We then followed the tactics suggested by the head coach in the second half,” said Myanmar’s Phyu Phyu Win after receiving the Player of the Match award.

“We are happy to get three points. We will be focusing on each match and target a win,” Win added when asked about the team’s goal in the upcoming games.

After a rest day and a day for training, the tournament between the four nations will see Myanmar facing Kyrgyzstan and Lebanon facing Nepal on February 20.