Nepal thrash Laos 9-0 to make winning start

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, June 30: Nepal kicked off their AFC Women’s Asian Cup Qualifier campaign in style, hammering Laos 9–0 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on Sunday.

Playing her first match as captain, striker Sabitra Bhandari—nicknamed ‘Samba’—scored four goals. Anita Basnet, Rashmi Kumari Ghising, Saru Limbu, and substitute Anita KC added one each, while an own goal from Laos sealed the emphatic win in Nepal’s 100th international appearance.

Nepal made their intentions clear early on, taking the lead in the 12th minute when Sabitra headed the ball into Anita’s path, who volleyed home from the edge of the box. Sabitra doubled the lead in the 44th minute with a header from Anita’s cross.

Just two minutes after the break, Sabitra and Renuka combined to assist Saru Limbu for Nepal’s third. Sabitra made it 4–0 in the 55th minute before Rashmi added another a minute later. Sabitra then completed her hat-trick in the 74th and scored her fourth in the 79th minute.

Nepal’s dominance continued as substitute Anita KC netted in the 83rd minute, and Laos conceded an own goal through Saysamone Inthaphone in the 88th to complete the 9–0 rout.

The win marked a strong debut for newly appointed head coach Patrick De Wilde, Nepal’s second foreign coach. He handed the armband to Sabitra for the first time, resting regular captain and goalkeeper Anjila Tumbapo Subba. In her place, Anjana Rana Magar started in goal, while playmaker Preeti Rai was also rested.

Nepal, grouped with hosts Uzbekistan and Sri Lanka in Group F, must top the group to qualify for the final tournament. They face Sri Lanka on July 2 and Uzbekistan on July 5.

This is Nepal’s attempt to qualify for the Women’s Asian Cup for the first time in 26 years. Their last appearance came in 1999, where they managed their first-ever goal—scored by Pema Dolma Lama—despite a 1–6 defeat to Uzbekistan. Nepal also took part in the 1986 and 1988 editions, losing all their matches.

Sunday’s win ended a four-match winless streak for Nepal, with their last victory coming against Lebanon in the Women’s Championship. 

Squad: (Gk)Anjana Rana Magar, (Dfds) Samikshya Ghimire, Gita Ranamagar, Nisha Thokar, Saru Limbu, Saraswoti Hamal, (Mfds) Sabita Ranamagar, Renuka Nagarkoti, Anita Basnet, (Fwds) Sabitra Bhandari and Rashmi Ghising.