SATV 30 June, Kathmandu: Nepal’s women’s national football team celebrated a historic milestone with a commanding 9–0 victory over Laos in their opening match of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers in Uzbekistan on Sunday.

This match not only kicked off Nepal’s qualifying campaign but also marked their 100th international fixture in a football journey spanning four decades. Ahead of the match, anticipation was high—not only for the outcome but also for the lineup, the leadership on the field, and the team’s chances of progressing to the Asian Cup.

Nepal entered the tournament with hopes of securing a place in the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup in Australia. But pre-match discussions were dominated by questions surrounding a reshuffle in leadership. The All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) initially announced Renuka Nagarkoti as captain, only to later correct the information and name star striker Sabitra Bhandari as the skipper.

Adding to the surprise, long-time goalkeeper and former captain Anjila Tumbapo Subba was left out of the starting eleven, with Anjana Rana Magar taking charge between the posts.

Despite these uncertainties, the team delivered a memorable performance. Sabitra Bhandari, wearing the captain’s armband for the first time, netted four goals—including a hat-trick. Anita Basnet, Saru Limbu, Rashmikumari Ghising, and Anita KC each added one goal to the tally, while Laos conceded an own goal in the 88th minute.

Nepal had taken a 2–0 lead in the first half, but it was in the second half that they shifted into high gear. Coach Patrick De Wilde’s decision to alter the game plan after the break paid off handsomely, as Nepal piled on seven more goals.

In his first outing as Nepal’s head coach, Pro License holder Patrick opted for a 3–2–3–2 formation. Though the strategy seemed shaky at first, it ultimately produced outstanding results. He deployed Geeta Rana, Nisha Thokar, and Samikshya Ghimire in defense; Saru Limbu and Saraswati Hamal in defensive midfield; and Renuka Nagarkoti in attacking midfield. On the wings, Sabita Rana Magar and Anita Basnet provided width, while Sabitra and Rashmi led the forward line with impact.

Nepal, ranked 100th in the FIFA rankings, delivered a performance that far exceeded expectations against 107th-ranked Laos. The emphatic win puts Nepal atop Group F and strengthens their bid to qualify for the final tournament in Australia.

The group also features Sri Lanka and host nation Uzbekistan, with the latter expected to pose the toughest challenge. Nepal will face Sri Lanka in their second group match on Wednesday.

Reflecting on the match, midfielder Renuka said, “We followed the coach’s attacking strategy and it paid off. The result was great, although we missed a few chances. Now our focus shifts to the match against Uzbekistan.”

Amid a backdrop of shifting roles and off-field confusion, the team’s on-field clarity was unmistakable. Coach Patrick and Captain Sabitra’s tenure got off to a dream start, making Nepal’s 100th international match a truly unforgettable one.