By a Staff Reporter
Kathmandu (HamroKhelkud) – A late equalizer from Yemen prevented Nepal a morale-boosting win in the final match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Asian Qualifiers Round Two. Yemen, playing their home fixture in Saudi Arabia, came away with a point after drawing 2-2.
Nepal, after coming back from a goal down to lead 2-1, had to resort to a point after Yemen’s Mohammad Al-Dahi’s equalizer in the first added minute.
Yemen took the lead in the ninth minute through Naseem Al-Gahwahi’s penalty after Rami Al-Wasmani was fouled by Manish Dangi inside the box.
Sanjeeb Bista capitalized on a loose pass out of the Yemeni defense to net his first international goal and equalize for Nepal in what was the side’s first goal in the second round of qualifiers.
Gillespye Jung Karki was at the right place inside the six-yard box to deflect a Sanjeeb Bista header off a Chhiring Lama cross, scoring his first international goal and handing Nepal the lead. But Nepal’s inability to see the game out prevented Nepal from all three points.
Nepal finish bottom of Group H with one point from six matches while Yemen finished on five points. These two teams will be contesting in the third round of Asian Cup qualifiers.
UAE topped the group on 16 points and will be playing the third round of FIFA World Cup qualifiers along with Bahrain who finished second on 11 points.
