Nepal outslugs India 2-1 in Women’s Tri-Nation International Friendlies

India’s senior women’s team suffered a 1-2 defeat to Nepal in the Women’s Tri-Nation International Friendlies. Sabitra Bhandari scored twice for Nepal, while Karishma Shirvoikar pulled one back late for India, marking her first goal for the senior national team

Hyderabad: The Indian senior women’s football team suffered a 1-2 defeat against Nepal in their second match of the Women’s Tri-Nation International Friendlies at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong on Monday.

A brace from Nepal striker Sabitra Bhandari (2′, 63′) put the visitors on the front foot, while Karishma Shirvoikar (81′) pulled one back late in the second half, scoring her first-ever goal for the senior national team.

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Nepal got off to an early start when Sabitra was set through on goal in the second minute. She chased a bouncing ball and cleverly chipped it over Indian goalkeeper Elangbam Panthoi Chanu to give her side the early lead.

India, trailing 1-0, started their search for a way back into the game, with Nongmaithem Ratanbala Devi pulling the strings from midfield. Her powerful shot from outside the box at the quarter-hour mark was tipped over the bar by Anjana Rana Magar. A few minutes later, her low free-kick was also saved.

India’s best chance of the first half came in the 32nd minute, when Grace Dangmei surged up the right flank and sent in a low cross toward Lynda Kom Serto. While Serto was unable to reach the ball, the clearance fell to Sangita Basfore, whose shot went over the bar.

Despite their attacking efforts, India’s defense had to stay alert to counter Nepal’s counter-attacks. Hemam Shilky Devi produced a crucial sliding tackle to block a shot from Sabitra in the 35th minute. Moments before the halftime whistle, Panthoi bravely stepped out of her line to make a save after Sabitra had been played in behind the Indian defense.

In the second half, India continued their pursuit of the equalizer, but it was Nepal who struck again. Sabitra showed her class once more when she curled in a free-kick from close range in the 63rd minute. Her shot dipped and curled into the top corner, just beyond Panthoi’s reach, giving Nepal a 2-0 lead.

Despite the setback, India, featuring a relatively younger squad, did not give up. Forward Pyari Xaxa was played through on the right by Nirmala Devi, but Anjana rushed off her line to collect the ball.

India eventually found the net in the 81st minute, when a long free-kick by Phanjoubam Nirmala Devi bounced over the Nepal defense. The ball landed perfectly for substitute Karishma Shirvoikar, who calmly slid it past the goalkeeper to pull one back for India. However, the late goal was not enough to mount a comeback, and Nepal held on for the 2-1 win.