Nepal is set to play its second match of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers today against regional rivals Sri Lanka. The match will kick off at 6:15 PM Nepali time. After a stunning 9-0 win over Laos in the opening game, Nepal enters the fixture with strong confidence and a clear goal to win big again.
Sri Lanka, on the other hand, had a difficult start to the tournament, suffering a massive 10-0 defeat against host nation Uzbekistan. Given their recent form and overall record, Sri Lanka is seen as a relatively easier opponent for Nepal. Historically, Nepal has a perfect record against Sri Lanka, winning all eight of their previous encounters.
The FIFA rankings also reflect the strength gap between the two teams. Nepal currently ranks 100th in the world, while Sri Lanka sits at 159th — a difference of 59 places. This further solidifies Nepal’s position as the favorite in today’s match.
However, just winning may not be enough. If Nepal and Uzbekistan draw their head-to-head match, the final group standings could come down to goal difference. Since Uzbekistan beat Sri Lanka by 10 goals, Nepal will aim for a big-margin victory as well.
In the first match, Sabitra Bhandari (Samba), who captained the team for the first time, was the star performer, scoring four goals. Anita Basnet, Anita KC, Rashmi Kumari Ghising, and Saru Limbu also contributed with a goal each. The performance showed Nepal’s attacking depth and hunger for goals.
Coach Patrick De Wilde also surprised many with his team selection. He gave goalkeeper Anjana Rana Magar a start and kept regulars like Preeti Rai, Rekha Poudel, Puja Rana, and Bimala BK on the bench. With this being his second match in charge, fans are curious to see what changes, if any, he makes today.
In Group F, Uzbekistan leads with three points and a superior goal difference, while Nepal also has three points but sits second. Laos and Sri Lanka are yet to open their accounts. Today’s game is crucial for Nepal to maintain their momentum and improve their chances of qualifying for the next round.
