Myanmar defeats Nepal in the final game of Four Nations Women’s Football

Nepal’s wait for an international women’s football title continued as they lost 2-0 to Myanmar in the final of the Four Nations International Women’s Football Championship on home soil.

Playing in their 13th final in 15 years, Nepal once again fell short, unable to convert scoring opportunities. Myanmar took control in the second half, with Yu Per Khaing breaking the deadlock in the 62nd minute, followed by Win Theingi Tun’s goal three minutes later.

Despite relentless attacks, Nepal struggled with finishing, marking their third final defeat in the past year.

Myanmar has clinched the title of Four-Nations Women’s International Football Championship.     

Myanmar defeated hosts Nepal 2-0 in the final held at Dasharath Stadium on Wednesday.

Myanmar scored two goals in a gap of two minutes in the second half of the match to disappoint the sold-out home crowd.   

For Myanmar, Yu Per Khaing opened the score sheet 62nd minute while captain Win Theingi Tun doubled the score just two minutes later in the 64th minute.     

Nepal had reached the final after defeating Kyrgyzstan and Lebanon.    

In the league, Nepal and Myanmar had played a 2-2 draw, after both had qualified for the final match of the tournament.     

Renuka Nagarkote of Nepal was announced the best footballer of the championship.

Thus, Nepal’s dream of winning their first major title in women’s football was dashed once again.

Although Nepal maintained control during the first half of the game, they failed to capitalise on their dominance, with Myanmar scoring twice in quick succession during the second half.

Myanmar took the lead in the 62nd minute, with a goal from midfielder Yu Per Khine. The goal came out of a solo effort from Khine, who dribbled past Nepali winger Sabita Rana Magar towards the left hand side of the goal and flicked the ball over captain and goalie Anjila Tumbapo Subba from a tight angle.

It didn’t take long for Myanmar to double their lead. The second goal came in the 64th minute off a dead ball, highlighting Nepal’s sloppy defence yet again. Capitalising on a free kick shot from over the half-way line, striker Win Theingi Tun coolly finished it from inside the Nepali D-area, silencing the jam-packed Dasharath Stadium.

For Nepal, it was yet again a story of missed opportunities. Despite creating a number of opportunities in the second half, Nepal could not break through the Myanmar defence. In the 70th minute, Rashmi Kumari had a golden opportunity on a ball supplied by Preeti Rai. But Myanmar goalkeeper Myo Mya Mya Nyein comfortably averted her overhead shot.

The first half had ended goalless but it wouldn’t have been so had Nepal’s Bimala BK not prevented a near-certain goal in the 24th minute after she heroically cleared Myanmar’s San Thaw Thaw’s attempt off the line. Sabitra Bhandari ‘Samba’, Rekha Paudel, and Sabita Rana Magar also had chances but could not convert them.

This marks the 13th final for Nepal in various international games, and they have been defeated in every single one. This was also their sixth encounter with Myanmar, and Nepal is yet to secure a victory against them. They had played a 2-2 draw in Kathmandu on Sunday in what looked like an even contest. But on Wednesday, the differences between them were clear yet again.