Nepal’s search for a win over Myanmar

Kathmandu, Feb. 23: Nepal and Myanmar are all set to vie for the International Women’s Championship trophy as the duo progressed to the final besting Lebanon and Kyrgyzstan in the tournament between four teams. Nevertheless, the two finalists have a league-stage fixture remaining before the decider. Nepal and Myanmar faced Kyrgyzstan and Lebanon in their first two fixtures, registered two wins, and entered the final with one game in hand. 

Myanmar was expected to be one of the finalists before the tournament began because they were the best team. Thus, the remaining spot was what the other three teams – Nepal, Lebanon, and Kyrgyzstan – were aiming for. 

Placed 55th in the FIFA Women’s Team Ranking, Myanmar defeated Lebanon (134th) and Kyrgyzstan (128th) with a score of 3-1 and 5-0 respectively. Nepal (103rd), on the other hand, defeated the two opponents with a single goal as decider.

Thus, Nepal and Myanmar’s fixture today (February 23) will be a chance for the Rajendra Tamang-coached side to understand Myanmar.

Myanmar is the most confident side in the tournament as Tetsuro Uki believes that his team can outperform the three opponents. He also showcased his team’s capabilities when he decided to give a chance to emerging players against Kyrgyzstan on February 20; the game they won 5-0.

Earlier encounters

Nepal and Myanmar are meeting after almost six years. Their last encounter was on April 3, 2019, at Mandalar Thiri Stadium, Myanmar, during the second round of the Women’s Asian Qualifiers for the 2020 Olympics. Nepal lost it by a score of 1-3. 

Nepal had drawn 1-1 with Myanmar in the first round on November 11, 2018, at Thuwunna Stadium, Myanmar. 

Similarly, Nepal also faced Myanmar two more times in 2019 as the two nations visited Bhubaneshwar, India, alongside Iran for the Hero Gold Cup between the four countries.

Nepal lost to Myanmar by 3-0 in the league-stage but fixed a final date with Myanmar after defeating Iran and India. However, Nepal lost in the final too; this time by a score of 1-3. Therefore, Nepal will be hungry for a debut win over Myanmar as the home side has two opportunities for the feat.

What coaches and players say

Ensuring the spot against Myanmar in the final after a tough win over Lebanon on February 20, coach Tamang said that he wanted his players to relax and make a better comeback against Myanmar.

“Myanmar is the toughest team. However, we are not pressured by their global ranking. I want to win a trophy while the players are hungrier than me. They all want to win an international trophy for the country and fans,” coach Tamang told The Rising Nepal before the tournament began.

Tamang shared a similar thought in the post-match conference after the second win. “We want to win,” he stressed. Likewise, Sabitra Bhandarki aka Samba, who was in the squad in the previous games against Myanmar as well, also said that she and her team members were looking to utilise the home games against Myanmar and play good football.

Meanwhile, Myanmar has also not taken Nepal lightly despite the host ranking far lower than them. 

Phyu Phyu Win and Yoon Wadi Hilang, speaking after receiving the Player of the Match award against Kyrgyzstan and Lebanon on February 17 and 20 respectively, shared the desire to defeat Nepal and expressed they were prepared.

Players to watch

One of the best players to watch for both teams in the much-anticipated encounter of the tournament between Nepal and Myanmar are Preeti Rai and Win Theingi Tun. Preeti has been the pillar of the midfield region for Nepal for over a year. Her dribbling and interception skills alongside the ability to drop pinpoint crosses for the strikers to score has made her one of the biggest assets of Nepali women’s football.

Preeti has also shown her abilities in the last two games. She was the Player of the Match against Kyrgyzstan and was the only player to get an individual loud cheer at Dasharath Rangasala when Nepal faced Lebanon. Furthermore, Preeti’s ability to shoot long rangers makes her one of the biggest problems for any opponent, including Myanmar. 

Similarly, regarding Myanmar, Win Theingi Tun will be a major asset against Nepal. Theingi loves scoring against Nepal. She was on the score list when Myanmar defeated Nepal 3-1 in the Olympic qualifiers and in both games of the Gold Cup against Nepal.

And now Theingi has a bigger role in Myanmar as she is the captain. Thus, Nepal will have to keep an eye on the skipper as she has had great times facing Nepal. Theingi was also the one who scored the first goal of the tournament when Myanmar faced Lebanon on February 17.