By Sachit Subba • Football • Jul 02, 2025 02:56 AM • 106 views
Nepal's women's national football team will look to maintain their dominant run against regional rivals Sri Lanka as the two South Asian sides face off on Wednesday in their second match of the AFC Women's Asian Cup Qualifiers. The Group F clash is set to kick off at 6:15 PM local time at the Mili Stadium in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The mood in the Nepali camp is buoyant following a resounding 9–0 demolition of Laos in their tournament opener on Sunday — a performance that not only reflected Nepal's superiority but also signalled a fresh era under new head coach Patrick De Wilde. Leading the line — and for the first time, wearing the captain's armband — was forward Sabitra Bhandari. The prolific striker, widely known as "Samba", rose to the occasion, scoring four goals and guiding the team with authority and composure. With that, she became the 11th captain in the history of Nepal's women's national team and started her reign in emphatic style. Contributions from Anu Lama, Anita Basnet, Saru Limbu, Rashmi Kumari Ghising, and Anita KC, along with an own goal by Laos, rounded off a near-perfect evening for Nepal.
Sri Lanka on the Back Foot
While Nepal soared, Sri Lanka stumbled. The island nation suffered a crushing 10–0 defeat at the hands of the host nation, Uzbekistan — a result that laid bare the stark competitive gap in the group. Making their debut in the AFC Women's Asian Cup qualification campaign, Sri Lanka arrived in Tashkent short on international match fitness, having played only four matches in the past year.
Three of those came during last year's SAFF Women's Championship in Kathmandu, where Sri Lanka managed a solitary win against the Maldives (1–0) before falling to Bhutan (1–4) and suffering a heavy 6–0 loss to Nepal. That loss further strengthened Nepal's perfect record against Sri Lanka in international football — seven matches played, seven wins, all by convincing margins.
Given the historical context and current form, Nepal will enter Wednesday's fixture as overwhelming favourites. The gulf in experience, match sharpness, and tactical discipline gives them the edge, but coach De Wilde will be keen to ensure his players don't fall into the trap of complacency.
A Win to Stay in Contention
With only the group winners advancing to the final tournament of the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 in Australia, every match counts. A win against Sri Lanka will not only extend Nepal's dominance but also set up a high-stakes showdown against Uzbekistan on Saturday — a likely group decider. Coach De Wilde, who has had limited time with the squad since his appointment, is believed to be focusing on tactical sharpness and pressing efficiency, areas that were on display against Laos. Speaking after the first match, he praised the team's hunger and cohesion but emphasised the need to remain grounded. "This team has spirit and skill, but we must keep our feet on the ground. Sri Lanka will be desperate to respond, and we must be ready for that," De Wilde said in the post-match presser. As the clock ticks down to kickoff in Tashkent, all signs point toward another strong outing from Nepal. But in tournament football, nothing is guaranteed. For Sri Lanka, it's about redemption. For Nepal, it's a step closer to continental glory.
