Kathmandu Hosts Exciting Start to International Women’s Championship
On February 18, Kathmandu witnessed the kickoff of the International Women’s Championship, where Nepal and Myanmar both enjoyed victories over Kyrgyzstan and Lebanon at Dasharath Rangasala. Myanmar claimed a 3-1 victory against Lebanon, while Nepal secured a narrow 1-0 win against Kyrgyzstan.
Crowd Support Boosts Nepal
In front of a vibrant crowd of 7,160 fans at the 15,000-capacity stadium, the home team, Nepal, put on a spirited display. Bimala Chaudhary opened the scoring in the 10th minute with a powerful header, assisted by a precise cross from Sabita Rana Magar.
Missed Opportunities and Strong Defense
Although Nepal created additional chances throughout the first half, they struggled to increase their lead. The bold play saw two shots denied by the woodwork as the half-time approached. The Kyrgyz goalkeeper, Dilnura Abibulla Kyzy, displayed remarkable skill, thwarting many attempts from the Nepali side.
Second Half Adjustments
With the Nepali defense mostly untested in the first half, head coach Rajendra Tamang decided to bring on striker Sabitra Bhandari to replace right back Bimala BK at the start of the second half. This tactical switch allowed Nepal to create even more scoring opportunities, but they continued to face challenges in finding the back of the net.
Kyrgyzstan Stays Resilient
Despite Nepal’s increased pressure, Kyrgyzstan maintained their composure and limited the scoring. Keeper Anjila Tumbapo Subba made critical saves to keep the scoreline in favor of Nepal.
Myanmar’s Dominating Performance
In the tournament’s opening match, Myanmar, the top-ranked team, delivered an impressive performance against Lebanon. Myanmar took the lead in the 57th minute with a spectacular long-range goal from Win Theingi Tun. However, Layla Iskandar equalized within three minutes, dribbling past the Myanmar goalkeeper to find the net.
Quick Comeback by Myanmar
Myanmar regained dominance with two quick goals in the 73rd and 75th minutes, thanks to a header from Shwe Yee Tun and a tap-in from San Thaw Thaw after a rebound. Both players made a significant impact after entering the game as substitutes.
Impressive Statistics
Myanmar controlled the match with 56% possession and launched 34 shots, 15 of which were on target, vastly outpacing Lebanon’s mere three attempts. The Lebanese goalkeeper had a busy match, making several vital saves.
Looking Ahead
After the match, Myanmar’s Phyu Phyu Win expressed gratitude to supporters from both nations and acknowledged the team’s initial struggles due to weather conditions. “We are pleased with our three points and will focus on achieving victory in our upcoming matches,” she stated.
Next Matches Scheduled
The tournament continues with a brief rest and training day before Myanmar faces Kyrgyzstan and Lebanon goes up against Nepal on February 20.
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