Nepal’s Young Stars Target Success in AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers

Nepal’s U17 Women’s Football Team Prepares for Asian Cup Qualifiers

Kathmandu, Oct. 12 — The Nepalese U17 women’s football team has been navigating a challenging journey in international competitions. At the SAFF U17 Women’s Championship held in Bhutan in August, Nepal managed to secure one win and one draw against the hosts. However, the results were not favorable overall, as they suffered heavy defeats to India and Bangladesh.

The team faced a 0-7 and 0-5 loss to India, along with a 0-3 and 1-4 defeat to Bangladesh. Despite these setbacks, they managed to record a 2-1 victory and a 1-1 draw against Bhutan. These results left the team in third place in the league structure, which did not sit well with Nepali football fans. The criticism from supporters was evident, but the team is now looking ahead to new challenges.

Less than two months after the SAFF tournament, the 23-member squad, with three changes compared to the previous event, departed for Thailand to participate in the Asian Cup Qualifiers. The expectations are higher this time, and the players are determined to perform better.

ANFA Officials Encourage Focus on Improvement

ANFA general-secretary Kiran Rai addressed the team during their farewell at the ANFA Complex. He acknowledged the mixed results from the SAFF tournament but urged the players and coaches to move forward. “Forget the past and focus on the future,” he said. Rai also highlighted that the team felt nervous due to negative comments from fans, who naturally expect wins. However, he emphasized that the key is to give their best performance and learn from mistakes.

Rai noted that the tournament is part of a development project under FIFA and AFC. “You are preparing for bigger challenges when you play for the senior side,” he added. The focus should be on improvement rather than just winning.

A History of Participation and Challenges

The Asian U17 Women’s Football Championship has evolved over the years. The inaugural edition in 2005 was held in the U17 category, but from 2007 to 2019, it was played as the U16 category. The ninth edition in 2024, hosted by Indonesia, returned to the U17 category. North Korea won the tournament for the fourth time, matching Japan’s record. The 10th edition will take place in China in 2026.

Nepal began participating in the qualifiers in 2019 but has yet to qualify for the major tournament. In 2018, when Nepal hosted the qualifiers, they lost to the Philippines (0-4) and Myanmar (1-11), drawing with Malaysia (4-4). In the 2024 qualifiers, Nepal defeated Iran 1-0 but lost 1-4 to Jordan, the hosts.

Managing Social Media Pressure

ANFA President Pankaj Bikram Nembang advised the players and staff to avoid social media during the qualifiers. “You cannot handle the comments on social media at such a young age,” he stressed. He also praised the players’ dedication, noting that they stayed for training during the Dashain festival, a significant family gathering.

Nembang emphasized the importance of the team as the backup for the national team aiming for the 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup. “You all need to put more effort now,” he said.

Coach and Captain Speak Out

Nepal’s U17 head coach, Chet Narayan Shrestha, addressed the media after the farewell function. He mentioned that the team has corrected their mistakes in defense, goalkeeping, and attacking areas. Three changes were made to the squad: Bhupika Shahi replaced Ganga Gurung in goalkeeping, Diki Syangbo Tamang replaced Aayusha Reule in midfield, and Dikshya Ranpal replaced Puja Giri in forward positions.

Shrestha expressed confidence in the team’s ability to improve with proper training. “We expect to capitalize on the chances we create in the Asian qualifiers,” he said. The team aims to upset Thailand and Turkmenistan, who rank higher in the FIFA Women’s Rankings.

Nepal’s captain, Bhumika Budhathoki, spoke about the team’s motivation and coordination. “The whole team will be coordinating on the ground as we aim to qualify for the Asian Cup,” she said.

Nepal will face Turkmenistan on October 15 and Thailand on October 17 in Group F. The group toppers from eight groups will qualify for the 2026 Asian Cup.