Kathmandu : Nepal advanced to the final of the four-nation International Women’s Football Championship by defeating Lebanon 1-0, ahead of their final group stage match.

Nepal will now face Myanmar in the final match of the league stage of the championship on Sunday (February 23). Lebanon and Kyrgyzstan will face each other on the same day. Both these teams will be looking for consolation wins.

Sabitra Bhandari Samba scored a goal in the 42nd minute of the championship held at Dasharath Stadium, giving Nepal a lead. It turned out to be decisive for Nepal’s win over Lebanon after none of the teams scored additional goals in the remaining time of the match. 

Samba was declared the player of the match.  She has received a cash prize of Rs 25,000. 

Lebanon, which lost to Myanmar 3-1 in the first match, also lost to Nepal in the second match. In the first match held today, Myanmar defeated Kyrgyzstan by a wide margin of 5-0. With the win, Myanmar, who are unbeaten, are at the top with 6 points, while Nepal, who have the same number of points, are in second place.

In the 56th minute of the game, Preeti Rai’s weak shot was easily caught by the Lebanese goalkeeper. In the 58th minute, Sabita Rana Magar’s shot, off a pass from Samba, went over the crossbar. In the 73rd minute, Preeti Rai’s attempt from Bimala Chaudhary’s corner kick went high.

Earlier, in the eighth minute of the first half, Nepal’s goalkeeper, Anjila Tumbapo Subba, made a crucial save by punching away a shot from Christy Maalouf. In the 10th minute, Bimala Chaudhary’s header went over the crossbar. In the 13th minute, Lili Iskandar’s shot went just wide of the goalpost.

In the 15th minute of the game, Preeti Rai’s shot went over the crossbar. In the 22nd minute, Sabitra Bhandari’s shot, off a back pass from Rekha Paudel, also went wide near the second post.