Nepal held hosts Myanmar to a 1-1 draw on Sunday in their second Group ‘C’ match of the Asian qualifier for the 2020 Olympics at the Thuwunna Stadium in Yangon.

Nepal, who also played out a 1-1 stalemate against South Asian giant India in its opener on Thursday, failed to preserve the lead it took early in the second minute. The outcome leaves Nepal in third position in the four-team group with two points and puts their qualification hope in balance. India and Myanmar are stay on top of the standings with four points each from two matches. Bangladesh, hammered 7-0 by India in the early kick off, is yet to open its account in the points table. Nepal will take on Bangladesh while Myanmar plays India in the last group stage matches on Tuesday. 

Nepal got a dream start against the hosts, who are placed at 44th position in the FIFA rankings. Nepal languishes at 108th. Nepal was awarded the penalty in the very first minute after its prolific forward Sabitra Bhandari was brought down in the area by Myanmar defender Wai Wai Aung. Bhandari stepped in to take the spot kick which she dully converted.

But the lead did not last longer as Myanmar equalised in the 14th minute through Khin Moe Wai thanks to a poor goalkeeping from Anjila Tumbapo Subba. Wai’s corner kick directly entered at the near post despite the Nepali custodian Subba getting her hand to the ball. Nepal, who deployed Bhandari as a lone forward, failed to create any notable chances in the first half. Myanmar kept piling on pressure over the touring team and Myanmar’s Win Theing Tun powerfully-struck ball was punched out to safety by Subba in the 17th minute.

Nepal’s other goal-scoring chance came in the 59th minute when Bhandari failed to beat Myanmar goalie Zar Zar Myint in one-versus-one situation after playing trading passes with Saru Limbu. Nepal survived a mighty scare in the 66th minute when defender Gita Rana was forced for a goalline clearance moments after goalie Subba had prevented a goal.  Punam Jargha Magar was unlucky in the 78th as she struck the woodwork.

The four group winners and two best performing runners-up will join Uzbekistan and Vietnam in the second round of qualifier to be held next April. Top two teams will then join Australia, China, DPR Korea, Korea Republic and Thailand in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. As hosts of the Tokyo Olympics, 2018 AFC Women’s Asian Cup winners Japan will qualify automatically for the 2020 Finals.