Women Football

The All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) bid farewell to the national women’s team set to travel to Indonesia for upcoming international friendlies.

The farewell program was held at Hotel Crowne Imperial, where ANFA General Secretary Kiran Rai and CEO Indraman Tuladhar extended their best wishes to the squad.

Addressing the ceremony, General Secretary Rai encouraged the players to give their best performance and represent the nation with pride.

Nepal will face Indonesia on November 26 before playing Chinese Taipei on December 2.

Squad: Anjila Tumbapo Subba, Anjana Rana Magar, Usha Nath, Hira Kumari Bhujel, Bimala BK, Samiksha Ghimire, Sajani Thokar, Man Maya Damai, Puja Rana, Pratiksha Chaudhary, Nisha Thokar, Renuka Nagarkote, Preeti Rai, Saraswati Hamal, Dipa Shahi, Saru Limbu, Sabita Rana Magar, Anita Basnet, Meena Deuba, Rekha Poudel, Sabitra Bhandari, Rashmi Kumari Ghising, Purnima Rai

Officials: Sarila Shrestha Maleku (Head of Delegation), Nabin Neupane (Head Coach), Suresh Shah (Team Manager), Bhagwati Thapa (Assistant Coach), Raj Kumar KC (GK Coach), Bikash Gurung (Kit Manager), Shila Giri (Physiotherapist), Yujal Shrestha (Official), Muna Karki (Media officer)

Nepal held India to a 1–1 draw before winning 3–0 on penalties in an exhibition match at a packed Paljor Stadium in Gangtok on Wednesday, October 29, 2025.

The Sikkim Football Association organised the match, which drew a capacity crowd as fans from across the region turned up in large numbers. Chief Minister of Sikkim, Shri Prem Singh Tamang Golay, attended the event as the Chief Guest, with free entry offered to supporters.

Nepal made several changes from their previous match in Shillong but started strongly, creating early chances through Purnima Rai and Meena Deuba. Despite Nepal’s promising start, India took the lead in the 30th minute following a defensive error. Nepal responded well and equalised just before halftime when Rashmi Kumari Ghising headed in an Anita Basnet corner.

The second half remained competitive but produced few clear chances. Saru Limbu and Sabita Rana Magar came close for Nepal, while goalkeeper Usha Nath made key saves to keep the score level.

With the match ending 1–1, the contest proceeded directly to penalties, where Nepal were flawless. Sabita Rana Magar, Rashmi Kumari Ghising, and Nisha Thokar all converted their spot-kicks. Goalkeeper Anjana Rana Magar, brought on late in the game, saved two penalties as Nepal sealed a confident 3–0 shootout victory.

The Nepali women’s football team defeated hosts India 2–1 in the Tri-Nation Football Tournament at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong.

Team captain Sabitra Bhandari scored both goals for Nepal, securing a well-earned victory. She struck in the 2nd minute, capitalizing on a long pass from Bimala BK to give Nepal an early lead.

Sabitra doubled the advantage in the 63rd minute with another composed finish. India pulled one back in the 81st minute through Karishma Sirabhokar, but Nepal held firm for the remainder of the match to claim the win.

With this result, Nepal finished as runners-up in the tournament. Nepal had lost their opening match 3–0 to Iran, while India, who were defeated 2–0 by Iran earlier, ended the competition without any points.

Iran were crowned champions of the Tri-Nation Women’s International Friendlies after a commanding 3–0 win over Nepal at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong on Friday, October 24, 2025.

Having already beaten India 2–0, Iran secured the title with a perfect six points. India and Nepal will play the final fixture on October 27.

After a goalless first half where Nepal defended with discipline and resilience, Iran broke the deadlock just three minutes into the second half. Sara Didar, continuing her scoring form, latched onto a long ball from goalkeeper Raha Yazdani and finished calmly in the 49th minute.

Zahra Ghanbari doubled the lead moments later with a curling free-kick in the 52nd minute, before Shabnam Behesht sealed the win with a stunning left-footed strike from 20 yards in the 57th.

Three goals in eight minutes ended Nepal’s resistance and highlighted Iran’s superiority. At full time, Iran celebrated a well-deserved title and a commanding performance.

Head coach Chet Narayan Shrestha has announced the final squad for the upcoming AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers.

Nepal will compete against hosts Thailand and Turkmenistan in the qualifiers scheduled from October 13 to 17.

Final squad

Goalkeepers: Jharna Dumrakoti, Laxmi Oli, Bhupika Shahi

Defenders: Dikshya Rayamajhi, Alija Kumari BK, Gyanshu Dolmo Lo, Samjhana Chand, Purnima Tadi, Anu Majhi, Min Maya Shrestha, Anshu BK

Midfielders: Rabina BK, Kritisha Tamang, Aashika Karki, Sahara Limbu, Babtika Karki, Bhumika Budathoki (C), Ayusha Reule, Srijana Baduwal

Forwards: Asmita Magar, Puja Giri, Yam Kumari BK, Anita Rana Magar

File photo

Head coach Nabin Neupane has announced the initial squad for Nepal’s upcoming international friendly against India. The match will be played on October 26 in Sikkim.

The fixture will mark Neupane’s first game in charge of the national team since his appointment as head coach, a role he will hold until the SAFF Women’s Championship 2026.

Goalkeepers: Anjila Tumbapo Subba, Anjana Rana Magar, Usha Nath, Sushila Chaudhary, Lila Joshi

Defenders: Nisha Thokar, Samikshya Ghimire, Man Maya Damai, Pratikshya Chaudhary, Bimala BK, Puja Rana, Amrita Jaishi, Sajani Thokar, Hira Kumari Bhujel, Neha Kumari Chaudhary

Midfielders: Bimala Chaudhary, Anita Basnet, Renuka Nagarkote, Preeti Rai, Saru Limbu, Sabita Rana Magar, Saraswati Hamal, Chandra Bhandari, Anita KC, Hima Raut, Dipa Shahi, Tulasa Bohara, Senu Pariyar, Sukriya Miya

Forwards: Rashmi Kumari Ghising, Rekha Poudel, Mina Deuba, Purnima Rai, Jenifer Magar, Sabitra Bhandari