Nepal and Myanmar draw before final encounter

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Feb. 24: Nepal and Myanmar played a draw in the final game of the International Women's Championship league stage between four nations – Nepal, Myanmar, Lebanon and Kyrgyzstan – as the single round-robin format concluded on Sunday at Dasharath Rangasala, Kathmandu. 

The day also saw Lebanon register their only tournament win, defeating Kyrgyzstan by 2-0; Kyrgyzstan remained the only team to stay winless in three games.

Nepal and Myanmar booked their place into the final of the championship with one game in hand. They defeated Lebanon and Kyrgyzstan in their first two games to ensure a seat in the final and keep their hopes for the trophy alive. Nevertheless, Nepal did not seem to be taking the extra game lightly as the squad troubled the 55th-ranked Myanmar, the tournament favourites.

The league battle between Nepal and Myanmar was intense from the start. Nepal and Myanmar had made some changes to the squad compared to their Playing XI against Lebanon. Head coach Rajendra Tamang rested skipper and goalie Anjila Tumbapo Subba, Rekha Poudel and Bimala Chaudhary and replaced them with Anjana Rana Magar, Rashmi Kr. Ghising and Saru Limbu. 

Similarly, Myanmar's coach Tetsuro Uki made five changes as May Htet Lu, Yin Loon Eain, Than Than Nwe, Shwe Yee Tun and Myat Noe Khin replaced Zune Yu Ya Oo, Phyu Phyu Win, Win Theingi Tun, Khin Mo Mo Tun and Sandar Lin in the Starting XI.

Uki's changes bore fruit as Htet Lu and Noe Khin scored the first two goals for Myanmar. Khin gave the first lead in the sixth minute from the freekick spot around 22 yards away as Magar misjudged the trajectory of the ball in the far corner. Lu, on the other hand, scored in the 16th minute capitalising on the mistakes from the Nepali defence. 

Nevertheless, Myanmar did not have enough to celebrate after the two goals as Nepal equalised soon with the involvement of goal machine Sabitra Bhandari aka Samba. Samba assisted the first equaliser in the 11th minute with Sabita Rana Magar scoring an easy goal. Samba was the scorer in the 40th minute as she converted a beautiful pass from Preeti Rai at the edge of the box.

Yet, despite the first-half ending with four goals scored, the second half ended goalless. Both Nepal and Myanmar had more than enough chances to lead, but none could capitalise on them. 

Goalie Myo Mya Mya Nyein made two major saves, one 1v1 against Samba in the 52nd minute and the header of Rashmi Kumari Ghising later. Samba was making surprise runs in the opponent's half with long crosses and was joined by Rekha Poudel after the 70th minute. Yet, the runs could not be capitalised on.

"Today, we had a very good experience and were happy to play with the host. Nepal is a good team," said Uki in the post-match conference. Uki also informed that it was the toughest game of the tournament so far as Nepali players showed great fighting spirit in front of the home crowd. 

"We did not take the game lightly as we were already in the final. We were serious. Now, we will prepare more for the final game," said Uki, who also praised the Nepali home crowd. There were 12,600+ audience at Dasharath Rangasala for the fixture. 

It was the second draw between Nepal and Myanmar in the last five encounters since 2018. Nepal lost in three of them and is hungry for their first win. “We could draw with Myanmar, so the game was overall okay. The players were nervous at first and we conceded the two goals due to our mistakes. But we made a comeback with the attack and levelled,” said Nepal’s head coach Tamang.

Likewise, Samba stated that the players were happy with the performance as they minimised the previous mistakes later. “We did not start well but the composure returned slowly. We will now aim for the trophy in the final,” said Samba. Nepal and Myanmar are playing for the trophy on Wednesday. If won, it will be the first international trophy for Nepal.