Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Myanmar clinched the title of the four-nation 2025 International Women’s Championship defeating hosts Nepal 2-0 in the final match at the sold-out Dasharath Stadium in Kathmandu on Wednesday.
Yu Par Khaing opened the scoring in the 62nd minute. She ran to the left side of the box, outmaneuvered Nepali winger Sabita Rana Magar and delivered a cross into the box. The unintended shot ball flew above Anjila Tumbapo Subba and found the back of the net. Myanmar sealed the victory a minute later through an own-goal by a Nepali defender. Myanmar Captain Win Theingin Tun struck a powerful shot after connecting to a freekick by Phyu Phyu Win. The ball deflected off Gita Rana and sailed into the post.
The result means Nepal has lost all its 13 final appearances so far. It lost to Jordan in the final of the West Asian Football Federation (WAFF) Championship held in Saudi Arabia in February last year and to Bangladesh in the final of the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship held on home soil in September.
Myanmar also defeated Nepal in the final of the 2019 Hero Women’s Gold Cup in India.
In the 70th minute, Saru Limbu’s header from Sabita’s corner was saved by Myanmar keeper Myo Mya. Myo Mya also saved Sabita’s freekick in the injury time.
Earlier, the first half ended goalless, with Bimala BK clearing a goal-bound attempt off the line in the 24th minute.
With 10 minutes remaining in the first half, Sabita missed a one-on-one opportunity. A beautiful through pass from Preeti Rai found Rekha, who set up Sabita on the right side, but her shot was saved by the Myanmar keeper.
Both teams qualified for the final without facing any defeat in the round-robin stage. Nepal and Myanmar both defeated Lebanon and Kyrgyz Republica, while their round-robin match ended in an entertaining 2-2 draw. While Kyrgyz Republic lost all three matches, Lebanon won the match against Kyrgyz Republic.
Nepal’s Past 12 Finals
2024 SAFF Women’s Championship – Lost to Bangladesh 1-2
2024 WAFF Championship – Lost to Jordan 3-5 (tiebreaker)
2022 SAFF Women’s Championship – Lost to Bangladesh 1-3
2019 SAFF Women’s Championship – Lost to India 1-3
2019 South Asian Games – Lost to India 1-3
2019 Hero Women’s Gold Cup – Lost to Myanmar 1-3
2019 Nadezhda Cup – Lost to Uzbestian 2-3
2016 South Asian Games – Lost to India 0-4
2014 SAFF Women’s Championship – Lost to India 0-6
2012 SAFF Women’s Championship – Lost to India 1-3
2010 SAFF Women’s Championship – Lost to India 0-1
2010 South Asian Games – Lost to India 1-3
