‘The best time for Nepalese women’s football’

Kathmandu, February 9: Main coach Rajendra Tamang led the Nepalese women’s team to the final of two major tournaments in 2024: The 8th Waff Women’s Championship and the 7th Saff Women’s Championship. However, the troop failed to lift his Maiden International Championship on both occasions.

The Nepalian women’s team has also been unlucky in the final in previous years; Therefore, their trophy has been empty. Nevertheless, Coach Tamang sees high chances that the team will end the trophy drought and make history when Nepal hosts Myanmar, Lebanon and Kyrgyzstan in Four Nation Women’s Football Tournament (February 17-26) in Dashaara Rangasala.

“As for Nepal’s women’s football, this is the best time ever. I had never imagined seeing women’s football reaching such heights. Fortunately, I feel it fortunately people who have had the chance to lead this generation of football players, ”Tamang told the rising Nepal.

Tamang had said to resign as head coach of the women’s content after the loss to Bangladesh in the Saff final on October 30 last year. “I said that many things and verbally withdrew. However, I came to an understanding with Anfa later and decided to continue, ”Tamang said.

When he talked to journalists on Saturday regarding the team’s preparations for the tournament, Coach Tamang said: “Players have accepted my return and the dressing room is positive.”

Tamang had called 39 players for the first phase of the closed camp from February 1st. Of those, three – Sabitra Bhandari alias Samba, Rekha Poudel and Anjila Tumbapo Subba – are busy in foreign leagues.

“In the first training week we trained for two days at Dashaiat Rangasala. On Sunday, players are reduced to 30, ”Tamang said.

According to Tamang, Anjila, Rekha and Samba return home to Four Nation Tournament on February 11, 14/15 and 16.

Analysis of opponents

For coach Tamang and Team, the big challenger will be Myanmar as the Asian country ranks 55 out of 195 countries. Kyrgyzstan and Lebanon rank 128 and 134., while host Nepal ranks 103. In Fifa Women’s World Ranking.

“Myanmar is the highest ranked team in the tournament, but it doesn’t matter that we are looking for the victory. Myanmar also played two friendly matches with India last year and didn’t have an easy time. So we are positive at playing good football and using our home advantage against Myanmar and the other two opponents, ”Tamang said.

Myanmar won 2-1 on July 9 and played 1-1 draw on July 12 when they hosted India last year.

Meanwhile, Tamang has not neglected Kyrgyzstan and Lebanon. “The women’s team defeated Kyrgyzstan by 8-2 in 2019. But it won’t be easy now that they’re not like before. Similarly, the scenario is with Lebanon. We defeated them in the Waff championship so they will be starving for a win against us. “

Thus, Tamang is busy analyzing the three opponents with the game videos he has managed using football stakeholders.

“While we analyze our opponents, they do the same. Our player’s videos are everywhere on the internet. That is why we have a greater challenge to identify our mistakes, improve our games and reject the opponents from exploiting us, ”Tamang said.

According to him, he has focused on improving the ability to hold possession, taking good passports and not making decisions in speed.

All eyes on girls

The execution of the women’s teams in Weff and SAFF tournaments last year increased their fanbase at home. The vision from Nepalese football, which was focused on men’s games, is now turning against women.

The video about the Four Nation tournament released by Anfa through social media on Thursday has been shared by thousands of Netizens with the female diaspora calling for each other to reach Dashaar Rangasala and support Nepali girls.

“The players are aware of the expectations made by Nepaler. They will win for the people, the fans and the country. We expect a high audience in each game and it will be useful to us. We need extensive support, ”Tamang told the rising Nepal.

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