Nepal made a flying start to their AFC Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers campaign with a dominant 9-0 victory over Laos at the Bunyodkor Stadium in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
Despite a slow start and the absence of seven key players in the starting lineup, Nepal delivered an emphatic performance.
Coach Patrick opted for a bold tactical shift, handing opportunities to several young and fringe players including Saru Limbu, Anjana Rana Magar, Nisha Thoka, Saraswoti Hamal, and Samikksha Ghimire. Regulars such as Puja Rana, Bimala BK, Amrita Jaishi, Rekha Paudel, Preeti Rai, Anjila Subba, and Bimala Chaudhary were rested for the first half.
First Half: Building the Foundation
Nepal opened the scoring in the 12th minute with a well-taken left-footed finish after a composed buildup inside the box. Although the tempo slowed down, Nepal maintained control with superior ball possession and created a handful of chances.
Rashmi Ghising had a good opportunity in the 30th minute but her shot went straight into the goalkeeper's hands. Six minutes later, Renuka Nagarkote came close, only to be denied by a brilliant goal-line clearance from the Laotian defense.
France-based forward Samba, who had been relatively quiet, broke through in the 44th minute with a superb header from an Anita Basnet cross to double Nepal’s lead before half-time.
Second Half: Total Domination
Nepal came out firing in the second half. Just two minutes in, Saru Limbu made it 3-0 with a clean finish. In the 55th minute, Samba struck again, and a minute later Rashmi Ghising got on the scoresheet to make it 5-0.
Coach Patrick then began to rotate his squad, bringing on experienced players like Anita KC, Puja Rana, and Preeti Rai in the 65th minute. Soon after, Bimala BK and Rekha Paudel entered the fray, replacing Renuka Nagarkote and Samikksha Ghimire in the 70th minute.
Samba completed her hat trick in the 74th minute, putting the match well out of Laos’ reach. Anita KC added her name to the scoresheet in the 83rd minute, making it 8-0, before substitute Sabita Bhandari rounded off the scoring in the 88th minute with a strike that took a slight deflection off a Lao defender.
What’s Next?
With this comprehensive win, Nepal sit atop their group and will next face Sri Lanka on July 2 at the same venue — Bunyodkor Stadium. Later this evening, hosts Uzbekistan play against Sri Lanka. Group winner will go to Australia next year.
Sujan Gautam
GoalNepal.com
