Kathmandu : Nepal avoided defeat thanks to an Anjan Bista goal in the early minutes of the second half in round 1 of the 2026 World Cup Qualifier against Laos.

This was Bista’s 13th goal for Nepal which puts him level with Hari Khadka and Nirajan Rayamajhi.

Apart from that, it was a night to forget for Nepal who did not look good on the night and will face a tough task in the away leg in Laos next week.

Laos, who scored an against the run-of-play goal thanks to Bounphachan Bounkong, were always a threat on the counter-attack. Nepal even faced a penalty scare in one of the counter-attacks and did not create enough chances to win the match.

The return leg will take place in Laos on October 17.