Nepal suffers 0-2 defeat against Malaysia in AFC Asia Cup qualifiers

KATHMANDU: Nepal began its AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifying campaign with a 2-0 defeat against Malaysia at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Johor Bahru on Tuesday.

Malaysia controlled the match, scoring once in each half. Midfielder Hector Hevel opened the scoring in the 29th minute with a well-worked team move, while defender La’Vere Corbin-Ong secured the victory with a clinical finish in the 70th minute.

Nepal, which came in the match with a first-ever victory over Singapore in a friendly last week, struggled to create meaningful chances throughout the game.

In other Group F fixture, Vietnam thrashed Laos 5-0. Nepal’s next fixture will be against Laos, while Vietnam faces Malaysia in the other group encounter.

The qualifiers follow a home-and-away format, with only the group winners advancing directly to the 2027 Asian Cup.

Nepal was forced to play this match in Malaysia after the AFC deemed Dasharath Stadium in Kathmandu unfit to host international matches.