Nepali women’s football team set to play their 100th international match in Uzbekistan

 Group F matches of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers begin today in Uzbekistan, and Nepal is all set to kick off its campaign against Laos.

This match is not just the start of Nepal’s journey in the qualifiers — it also marks a major milestone: Nepal’s 100th international women’s football match since the national team began competing internationally over 40 years ago.

The historic game will be held at Bunyodkor Stadium in Tashkent, with kickoff scheduled for 6:15 PM Nepali time. It will also be the first match in charge for Nepal’s new head coach, Patrick De Wilde, who expressed confidence in the team’s readiness, both physically and mentally.

Aiming for a Strong Start

Nepal is hoping to get off to a winning start against Laos, a team they are playing against for the first time in women’s football. While the men’s teams of Nepal and Laos have met before, this will be a debut encounter for the women’s sides.

Also today, host nation Uzbekistan will face Sri Lanka. Uzbekistan is considered the strongest team in the group, with Nepal also seen as a serious contender. Only the group winner will qualify for the final tournament, so every match — and even goal difference — will matter.

Words from the Team

Ahead of the match, Coach De Wilde said, “The best part of football is playing competitive international matches. We are ready — both mentally and physically — and we will give it our all.”

Star forward Sabitra Bhandari ‘Samba’ stressed the importance of making a strong start, while midfielder Renuka Nagarkoti said she’s excited to play this milestone match under new coaching leadership.

Nepal and Laos: Recent Form

Both Nepal and Laos have struggled for wins recently:

  • Nepal hasn’t won in its last four matches. They lost twice to Thailand earlier this month and finished second to Myanmar in the International Women’s Championship in February.

  • Nepal’s last win came in that same tournament when they beat Lebanon and Kyrgyzstan, both 1-0.

  • Laos, on the other hand, has played only four matches in 2024. They lost to Malaysia and Saudi Arabia in friendlies, then lost to Singapore and drew with Timor-Leste in the AFF Women’s Cup.

In terms of experience and match exposure, Nepal has the edge, having played more matches recently. This is reflected in the latest FIFA rankings, where Nepal is placed 100th, while Laos is at 107th.

As the qualifiers begin, Nepal is hoping to make history — both by winning its 100th match and by moving one step closer to qualifying for the Women’s Asian Cup.

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