The Nepal Weekly 
March 5, 2024The Nepali national women’s football team, securing the runners-up title in the WAFF Women’s Championship arrived back in Nepal on Friday night from Saudi Arabia.
They were welcomed by senior officials of All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) Tribhuvan International Airport.
In the final held in Jeddah on Thursday, Nepal and Jordan the finalists were 2 2 till the 90 minute normal game time. Before that, both the teams played an exciting draw of 2-2 goals in the competitive match of the scheduled time. In the 29th minute of the game, Nepal took the lead through Sabita Rana Magar’s goal and could not maintain that lead.
In the 73rd minute, Lana Ferraz equalized for Jordan. Similarly, in the 89th minute, Sarah Abu Saba scored the second goal for Jordan.
However, Nepal faced a 5-3 defeat to Jordan in a penalty shootout, securing their position as runners-up.
Captain and goalkeeper Anjila Tumbapo Subba, along with Geeta Rana – who temporarily left Sethu FC to represent the national team – have already departed for India to participate in the Indian Women’s League.
Players Priti Rai and Deepa Shahi from Kickstart FC, along with Rasmi Kumari Ghising and Amrita Jaisi from Sports Odyssey, have returned with the national team.
Sabitri Bhandari, the top scorer of the WAFF Championship and a forward for the Nepali team, was absent in the final due to her prior commitments with the French club Guingamp. Her contractual obligations led to her non-participation in the crucial match against Jordan.
