Sports
Nepal lose 4-1 to hosts Malaysia
Nepali national women football team were humiliated 4-1 by host Malaysia in their second international friendly match at Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia on Wednesday.Nepali national women football team were humiliated 4-1 by host Malaysia in their second international friendly match at Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia on Wednesday.
Nepal conceded two goals in each half for their first defeat against Malaysia in three meetings. The two teams had played a 1-1 draw in the first match on Monday. In the first ever clash between the two national women’s teams, Nepal had inflicted Malaysia a 1-0 loss at Satdobato, Lalitpur, in December.
Midfielder Shereilynn Elly Pius netted twice for the home team including the third minute opener for the physically imposing Malaysian team. Nur Athirah Mamat made it 2-0 three minutes before the break and Pius added to her tally in the 54th minute. Nepal skipper Sajana Rana pulled one back for the visitors in the 80th minute.
But the home team restored a three-goal cushion scoring five minute from time through Puteri Noralisa Wilkilson.
Nepal coach Kumar Thapa said number of factors contributed to their heavy defeat including conceding an early goal, humid weather and physically superior opponent. “We never got into the game since conceding an early goal,” he said. “Our girls could not match the physically superior team,” said Thapa, who used all three substitutions so as to provide exposure to his young guns. “Overall, the Nepal coach said he was satisfied with his team’s performance. “Half the current squad are young ones and such games will gain their confidence and much needed exposure.”
Malaysian FA had invited Nepal for the friendlies as part of their preparations for South East Asian Games to be held there from August 19 to 30. Nepali team is scheduled to return home on Thursday.