NSJF Pulsar Sports Award 2081: Four More Categories' Contenders Announced

Sachit Subba

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Nepal's AFC U-23 Asian Cup Dream Ends After Defeat to Syria

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Football

Nepal's Homecoming Ends in Stalemate Against Bangladesh

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Football

Nepal Hosts Bangladesh in First Home International After Two-Year Wait

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Football

Nepal, Bangladesh Friendlies to Crown Overall Winner with Trophy and Medals

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Football

Nepal's AFC U-23 Asian Cup Dream Ends After Defeat to Syria

Kathmandu – Nepal's hopes of qualifying for the AFC U-23 Asian Cup 2026 in Saudi Arabia have come to an end following a 4-2 defeat to Syria in their second Group K qualifier match on Saturday in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. Despite taking a 2-1 lead at one stage, Nepal collapsed in the second half, conceding three unanswered goals that sealed their elimination with one game still to play. It marked Nepal's second straight loss in the campaign, having opened their qualifiers with a 4-0 defeat to hosts Tajikistan. The result leaves Nepal at the bottom of the group with no points. Syria, on the other hand, celebrated their second consecutive win after edging the Philippines 2-1 in its opening match. With six points from two games, they now face Tajikistan in a decisive clash on Tuesday to determine the group winner and direct qualification spot. At the Pamir Stadium in Dushanbe, Syria's goals were scored by Mohammad Al-Mustafa, Ali Al-Rina, Mahmoud Al-Aswad, and Mahmoud Nayif. For Nepal, Nirajan Dhami and Sumit Shrestha briefly turned the game around to give their side a 2-1 lead, but defensive lapses and fatigue ultimately cost them against the physically stronger Syrians. Nepal will round off their campaign on Tuesday when they face the Philippines at 6:45 p.m. Nepali time, aiming to salvage pride and finish the qualifiers on a positive note.

Nepal's Homecoming Ends in Stalemate Against Bangladesh

Kathmandu – International football finally returned to Nepal after nearly two years, but the homecoming lacked the sparkle of a winning start. In front of a lively crowd at Dasharath Stadium on Saturday evening, Nepal and Bangladesh played out a tense goalless draw in the first of their two scheduled friendlies. The atmosphere was electric at kickoff, with fans eager to see their national team back on home turf. Nepal started cautiously, but it was Bangladesh who carved out the first threat of the night. In the 10th minute, captain Jamal Bhuyan's corner found Rakib Hossain, whose header was arrowing towards the target. However, Nepal's skipper Kiran Chemjong, as reliable as ever between the posts, stretched out to deny the visitors. Nepal soon grew into the game. Midfielder Manish Lama looked sharp from set pieces, whipping in a dangerous free-kick midway through the half. Defender Ananta Tamang rose highest and nodded goalward, but Bangladeshi goalkeeper Mohammad Sujon Hossain was quick to react, sparing his side. Lama tried again moments later, this time going for the goal directly, but Sujon gathered comfortably. ![](https://bootballer.com/storage/media/posts/ALNGXsIsMDsBJoAagxPwCvj266VBemCCP86rYHCT.jpg) The hosts nearly paid for a lapse in concentration six minutes before halftime. With Chemjong stepping off his line, Sumon Reza found space inside the area and went for goal, only to send his strike over the crossbar to the relief of the home fans. After the break, Nepal showed more urgency, pushing their lines higher and testing Bangladesh's backline. In the 68th minute, striker Gillespye Jung Karki unleashed a thunderous effort from outside the box, forcing Sujon into his best save of the evening. But Nepal's lack of composure in the final third continued to haunt them. Bangladesh reminded everyone of their threat 10 minutes later. Substitute Mohammad Taj Uddin tried his luck from distance, and Chemjong had to scramble to smother the attempt. It was a warning that the visitors remained dangerous on the counter. In the end, both goalkeepers emerged as the central figures of the night, ensuring the contest remained scoreless. Nepal, though pleased with their defensive stability, will rue the missed opportunities that prevented a winning restart on home soil. The two sides will meet again on Tuesday, September 9, with Nepal hoping to find the cutting edge that eluded them in this spirited but frustrating opener.

Nepal Hosts Bangladesh in First Home International After Two-Year Wait

Kathmandu, Sept 5 – After nearly two years without international football on home turf, Nepal is back in action at the Dasharath Stadium this Saturday, welcoming regional rivals Bangladesh in the first of two FIFA international friendly matches. The second encounter is scheduled for Tuesday. The double-header is more than just an exhibition—it serves as vital preparation for Nepal's upcoming AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers. In October, the national team will face a daunting campaign with home-and-away fixtures against Vietnam and an away clash against Malaysia. For head coach Matt Russ, these matches are an opportunity to refine tactics, build momentum, and assess new players before the competitive stage begins. ![](https://bootballer.com/storage/media/posts/ExRGNEUwlE6qpQZlwf8glCxX7htLMUKYZyHJkdKu.jpg) Nepal enters the contest with questions still lingering over form and consistency. In June, the team suffered a 2-1 defeat to Laos—a side considered weaker on paper—after a 2-0 loss to Malaysia earlier in the year. For Russ, Saturday marks his fifth match in charge. While he pointed to limited training time as a factor in Malaysia, even with more preparation ahead of the Laos tour, results remained elusive. "My philosophy should already be clear to supporters after the first four matches," Russ said at the pre-match press conference. "I always strive for a positive outcome, and tomorrow, our only objective will be to secure a victory." Russ has not shied away from refreshing the squad. Four players made their debuts during the Malaysia tour, with three more introduced against Laos. This time, two fresh names—midfielders Aditya Shakya and Amit Lama—have earned their first senior call-ups, alongside Kushal Deuba, who was part of the Laos squad but did not feature. With the AFC U-23 qualifiers ongoing, Rust emphasised that the additions are more than capable of competing at the senior level. "Even though we are playing these friendlies during the U-23 qualifiers, the replacements coming in are all players capable of performing at the top level," he noted. For fans, Saturday's return to Dasharath is about more than just watching football—it is a chance to see whether Nepal's rebuilding project under Russ can finally deliver results, and whether the long wait for home action will be rewarded with a victory.

Cricket

Nepal taste First Victory in Top End T20 Series.

Darwin, Australia – Nepal's national cricket team finally got off the mark in the ongoing Top End T20 Series, securing their first win with a comfortable 66-run triumph over Hobart Hurricanes Academy on Tuesday. After three straight defeats earlier in the tournament, the Rhinos bounced back in style at Kazalys Arena, Palmerston, to register two crucial points from four matches. Batting first after winning the toss, Nepal posted a competitive total of 180 for 7 in 20 overs. Arif Sheikh top-scored with 35, supported by Asif Sheikh's 29, Kushal Bhurtel's 27, Lokesh Bam's unbeaten 25, and Bhim Sharki's 18. Hobart's bowling unit was led by Nivethan Radhakrishnan and Raf Macmillan with two wickets apiece, while Marcus Bains, Gabe Bell, and Bradley Hope chipped in with one each. ![](https://bootballer.com/storage/media/posts/3Z2FxQBOHxNgQUfmKxcR2IGgyDOaTSunvuYyS5Bd.jpg) In reply, Hobart Hurricanes Academy faltered under scoreboard pressure, bundled out for 144 in 16.1 overs. Bradley Hope (31), Charlie Wakim (28), Jack Curtin (21*), and Tim Ward (13) tried to resist but could not build partnerships long enough to chase down the target. The star of the evening was young seamer Nandan Yadav, who produced a match-winning spell of 5 wickets for 17 runs in just 3 overs. Captain Rohit Kumar Paudel, Sandeep Lamichhane, Rijhan Dhakal, and Kushal Bhurtel each picked up a wicket to seal the win. Before this result, Nepal had suffered defeats to Northern Territory Strikers (by 42 runs), Bangladesh' A' (by 32 runs), and Melbourne Stars Academy (by 31 runs). The victory against Hobart not only lifted morale but also kept Nepal in contention as the tournament progressed.

Nepal Suffer Third Straight Defeat in Top-End T20 Series

Darwin, Australia — Nepal's national cricket team endured their third consecutive defeat in the ongoing Top End T20 Series, going down by 31 runs against Melbourne Stars Academy on Monday at the TIO Stadium in Darwin. Chasing a target of 176, Nepal managed to play out the full 20 overs but could only reach 144 for seven. This latest setback follows earlier losses by 42 runs to Northern Territory Strikers and by 32 runs to Bangladesh 'A'. Opener Aasif Sheikh anchored Nepal's innings with a composed 53 off 49 deliveries, striking three fours and a six. Captain Rohit Kumar Paudel added 33, while Kushal Bhurtel chipped in with 25. Together, Aasif and Paudel stitched a crucial 87-run stand for the third wicket, but the rest of the batting lineup faltered under mounting scoreboard pressure. Melbourne's bowlers shared the spoils, with Austin Enlezark and Doug Warren claiming two wickets apiece, while Aryan Sharma and Chris Howe picked up one each. ![](https://bootballer.com/storage/media/posts/Lnjt5WllmnZI3xjOiBFke1BXhmz7fKr3zExcV3LD.jpg) Earlier, after winning the toss and electing to bat, Melbourne Stars Academy posted a competitive 175 for seven in their allotted overs. Blake MacDonald top-scored with a fluent 74 off 47 balls, laced with seven boundaries and two sixes. Thomas Rogers provided strong support, crafting 65 off 46 deliveries with seven fours and a six. Their second-wicket stand of 120 proved decisive, laying the foundation for the victory. For Nepal, leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane returned figures of 3 wickets, while Sompal Kami and Shahab Alam chipped in with one apiece. Nepal will now look to bounce back when they face Hobart Hurricanes Academy on Tuesday in their fourth outing of the tournament.

Nepal Suffers Second Consecutive Defeat in Darwin

Darwin, Australia — Nepal's rough start in the ongoing Top End T20 Series continued on Saturday as they slumped to a 32-run defeat against Bangladesh 'A' at the Marrara Cricket Ground 2, marking their second straight loss of the tournament. After falling short by 42 runs against Northern Territory Strikers in their opening match, Nepal once again struggled to keep pace with the opposition. For Bangladesh, however, this was their first win of the series, having been handed a heavy 79-run loss by Pakistan Shaheens in their opener. Batting first after winning the toss, Bangladesh posted a competitive 186 for six in 20 overs. Jishan Alam was the standout performer, smashing 73 off 46 balls with five sixes and four boundaries. He was well supported by Afif Hossain, who remained unbeaten on 48, while Mohammad Naim (25) and Saif Hassan (11) chipped in with valuable runs. Nepal's bowling attack found little success, with Rijhan Dhakal taking two wickets while Karan KC, Nandan Yadav, and Sandeep Lamichhane picked up one apiece. In reply, Nepal fought but could not match the scoring tempo. They finished on 154 for seven in their allotted 20 overs. Middle-order batter Kushal Malla was the lone bright spot, anchoring the innings with an unbeaten 59 off 47 balls, including six fours and a six. Opener Aasif Sheikh made 28, Lokesh Bam added 15, Nandan Yadav was unbeaten on 14, while Kushal Bhurtel (12) and captain Rohit Kumar Paudel (10) failed to convert their starts. Bangladesh's bowlers shared the spoils, with Rakibul Hasan claiming three wickets, Hasan Mahmud taking two, and Toufiqul Ahmed, along with Ripon Mandal, grabbing one each. With two defeats in as many matches, Nepal will be desperate to bounce back when they face Melbourne Stars Academy on Monday.

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NSJF Pulsar Sports Award 2081: Four More Categories' Contenders Announced

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