Can Nepal handle pressure against Myanmar’s calm?

Kathmandu, Feb. 26: The Myanmar national women’s football team is enjoying its time in Nepal. Their joy results from the good football they have played in the last three games of the four-nation International Women’s Championship.

Myanmar defeated Lebanon and Kyrgyzstan with 3-1 and 5-0 scores, respectively before playing a 2-2 draw with Nepal on February 23. However, Myanmar did not seem bothered by the draw and expected that the result would not be repeated in the final today (February 26).

“We are thankful to the host for having us in the tournament. We are already in the final, so we are satisfied so far,” said Tetsuro Uki, head coach of the Myanmar side, in the pre-final conference on Tuesday.

Uki, a Japanese national who played in the J League and other levels in the Japanese football pyramid, has been involved in coaching since 2007. He has been with the Myanmar side since 2023.

“The last encounter showed how good of a team Nepal is and we are happy to face them again in the final,” Uki added.

The way Uki fielded his Starting XI against Nepal on Sunday raised questions that Myanmar did not use its best players. However, Uki, in the post-match conference after the draw with Nepal, had assured that he had not taken the game lightly despite guaranteeing a spot in the final. 

Nevertheless, the Myanmar side is most likely to have a different approach when they face Nepal again, this time for the trophy. 

“We had a chance to beat two teams, so we are happy. It was a great game against Nepal. We are looking forward to facing them again fair and square in the final match,” Win Theingi Tun, Myanmar’s skipper.

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 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 and by 1-3 in the final. 

“We found Kyrgyzstan a far better team than how it was six years ago. Lebanon was also better than the WAFF. Myanmar is also doing great in the tournament,” Nepal’s head coach Rajendra Tamang said, adding, “We changed our formation against Myanmar because we needed to high press. This playstyle requires youngsters because players need to run up and down. We cannot win with walking football.”

Tamang and Nepali skipper and wall Anjila Tumbapo Subba also shared that the duo wanted to win an international trophy for the country. “We lost two finals – 8th WAFF and 7th SAFF – in the past year so we want to win this one,” the duo echoed.

“We have a good set of players. Our bench strength is also high. The team that will play good football and follow the plan will win in the final and we want to be that team,” said Subba.

As Nepal often loses composure in the finals, it will not be easy for the Rajendra Tamang-led side to win their first international trophy against a more composed and calm side, Myanmar.

Extra time, penalties, substitutions Sanjeev Mishra, Tournament Director at the All Nepal Football Association, informed that the final will be extended to extra time if there is a draw during the 90 minutes regulation time.  

“There will be penalties if the extra time is insufficient to separate the winner,” said Mishra.

Similarly, the teams will be allowed an extra substitute in the extra time after five subs throughout 90 minutes. “There is a provision for concussion substitute as well, but it cannot be used willingly,” he added.