Nepal-Bangladesh Women’s Football: Opportunity for New Players

KATHMANDU: SEPT. 9 – Nepal, which is preparing for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, is playing a friendly match against Bangladesh today. There is a possibility of many new faces in the Nepali team when they enter the Dasharath Stadium for the first time.

Gary Phillips, the first foreign coach for the women’s team, has added most new faces to the team. Where 7 players are waiting for their debut. As Sabitra Bhandari is not the main forward of the Nepali team, other players have to prove themselves. This will be a good opportunity for Anita KC. Saru Limbu will also have this opportunity. They will be in the attacking position of the Nepali team.

Phillips is likely to field Rajni Thokar, Rashmi Ghising and Sabita Rana. All three are players awaiting their debut. The youngest midfielder Preeti Rai is also waiting for her debut.

Coach Phillips told a pre-match press conference that Nepal believed in new players and was ready for the game. He said that the Nepali team would be tested with the help of young players and expressed confidence that the players would not allow Savitra’s absence.

Golam Robbani Choton, the head coach of Bangladesh, has said that his team will benefit from the fact that Nepal is playing without the main forward Sabitra. Coach Choton said that playing against a Nepali team without Sabitra Bhandari would give relief to the defenders and the entire team could take advantage of it.

The Nepali women’s team will face the Philippines on September 18 and Hong Kong on September 21 in Group F of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2022.