Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: The Nepali women’s team faced disappointment in its 11th attempt to secure a trophy as it fell to Jordan in a tie-breaker in the final of the 2024 WAFF (West Asian Football Federation) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Thursday.
The match went to the tie-breaker after the regulation 90 minutes ended in a 2-2 draw. Jordan clinched the tie-breaker 5-3 as Nepal’s fourth penalty, taken by Amrita Jaisi, was saved by the Jordanian keeper.
Despite the absence of star striker Sabitra Bhandari, Nepal took the lead in the first half when Sabita Rana Magar’s long shot from outside the box deflected off a Jordanian defender and flew past the Jordanian keeper into the left corner of the post.
Jordan equalized in the 73rd minute when Lana Feras beat the offside trap and Nepali keeper Anjana Tumpbhamphe in a one-on-one situation. Jordan took the lead in the 88th minute as Sarah Abu Sabbah dribbled past Nepali defenders in the box and sent the ball beyond the Npeali keeper into the net.
Nepal was awarded a penalty in the 91st minute after the Jordanian captain handled the ball inside the box. Gita Rana calmly scored from the spot to take the match into the tie-breaker.
Gita Rana, Deepa Shahi, and Hira Kumari Bhujel scored for Nepal, while Amrita Jaisi’s penalty was saved by the Jordanian keeper. Jordan, on the other hand, converted all five penalties to claim the WAFF Women’s Championship for a record sixth time.
11th defeat in the final
Nepal reached the final of the 11th South Asian Games in 2010 marking its first appearance in any tournament final. However, it suffered a 1-3 defeat against India. In the same year, Nepal faced another setback, losing 0-1 to India in the final of the 2010 SAFF Championship.
The disappointment continued in the final of the 2012 SAFF Championship, with Nepal conceding a 1-3 defeat to India. In the subsequent 2014 SAFF Championship final, India dominated with a 6-0 victory. Nepal’s woes persisted in the final of the 12th South Asian Games in 2016, where it conceded a 1-2 defeat to India.
In 2019, Nepal reached four cup finals but suffered defeats in all. It lost 2-3 to Uzbekistan in the final of the Nedezhda Cup and 1-3 to Myanmar in the final of the Hero Gold Cup. Additionally, Nepal faced defeats against India in the finals of both the 2019 SAFF Championship and the 13th South Asian Games.
Nepal reached the final of the SAFF Championship again in 2022 but was defeated 1-3 by Bangladesh. The trophy drought extended further with a defeat against Jordan in the final of the 2024 WAFF Championship.
Cup Finals
2024 – WAFF Championship – vs Jordan 2-2 (3-5)
2022 – SAFF Championship – vs Bangladesh 1-3
2019 – 13th South Asian Games – vs India 0-2
2019 – SAFF Championship – vs India 1-3
2019 – Hero Gold Cup – vs Myanmar 1-3
2019 – Nadezhda Cup – vs Uzbekistan 2-3
2016 – 12th South Asian Gaves – vs India 1-2
2014 – SAFF Championship – vs India 0-6
2012 – SAFF Championship – vs India 1-3
2010 – SAFF Championship – vs India 0-1
2010 – 11th South Asian Games – vs India 1-3
