KATHMANDU, Dec 19: A lone goal from Sabitri Bhandari gave Nepali women's national team a 1-0 victory over visiting Malaysia in an international friendly football match held at ANFA ground on Saturday. Striker Sabitra scored the decisive goal in the 27th minute utilizing a pass from Dipa Rai in the box to defeat the team that is 26th places above Nepal.
Six new players made debut for the home team which is preparing for the upcoming Women's SAFF Championship to be held in India. Defender Gita Rana, midfielder Manjali Kumari Yonjan and Sharmila Thapa were the new faces in the starting lineup while second half substitutes goalkeeper Anjana Rana Magar, forwards Saru Limbu and Nirmala BK were the other players to wear national team jersey for the first time. Meanwhile, it was also the first international match for head coach Kumar Thapa.