Nepal defeated traditional rival India 2–1 on Monday in a tri-nation international friendly football match held under the FIFA window.
The match, played at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong, India, saw captain Sabitra Bhandari score in the second minute to give Nepal an early lead. Receiving a pass from defender Bimala BK, Bhandari executed a brilliant run and scored in a one-on-one with India’s goalkeeper Panamthoi Chanu.
In the 63rd minute, Bhandari doubled Nepal’s advantage with a free-kick goal from around 25 yards after Preeti Rai was fouled, marking her 68th international goal and ninth against India.
India’s substitute Karishma Shriribhoikar pulled one back with nine minutes remaining, converting a free-kick from Kiran Pisd past Nepal goalkeeper Anjana Ranamagar, but Nepal held on to secure the win.
This victory marked only Nepal’s fourth win against India in 19 encounters, with India having 11 wins and four draws. Notably, Nepal has remained undefeated against India in the last five matches since 2019.
With this result, India lost both matches in the tri-nation series, leaving them at the bottom. Iran, which defeated both Nepal (3–0) and India (2–0), became the champion, while Nepal finished as runner-up. Nepal is scheduled to face India again in a friendly match in Sikkim.
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