By a Staff Reporter
Kathmandu (HamroKhelkud) – Nepal National Football team have booked their place in the second round of FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers with a win in Laos. Nepal defeated home side Laos with a slender margin of 1-0 to keep their World Cup Qualifying journey alive.
Manish Dangi’s goal early in the second half secured the win for Nepal. Nepal, having played a 1-1 draw at home on Thursday, needed a win to have more competitive matches under their belt.
Nepal’s performance in the first half couldn’t ruffle the Lao feathers in the first half but took the lead right after the break. Nepal head coach Vincenzo Alberto Annese had made three changes from the eleven that started the previous match.
Dinesh Henjan’s cross from a free-kick in the 12th minute was easily gathered by the Laos goalkeeper. Nepal skipper Kiran Chemjong saved a Michael Vang shot in the 17th minute.
Utsab Rai’s free header in the 22nd minute off a Dinesh Henjan cross went above the post. Chony Wenpaserth’s shot from inside the post in the 39th minute went wide. Another shot from Wenpaserth in the 42nd minute was easily gathered by Nepal number one Kiran Chemjong. Ananta Tamang’s shot off a Dinesh Henjan cross towards the end of the first half couldn’t connect well and fell towards the six yar box but no Nepali players could pounce on the opportunity.
Nepal took the lead of the match in the 53rd minute. Anjan Bista’s pass from the left hand side off the post after dribbling past a defender was well finished by Manish Dangi for his third international goal. Anjan, meanwhile, currently joint top-scorer for Nepal, couldn’t find the back of the net to break the record.
Anjan failed to head a chance in the 82nd minute when he headed wide. In injury time towards the end of the match, skipper Kiran kept Nepal’s lead intact with a brilliant save diving to his left off a header.
Nepal will now compete with the UAE, Bahrain and Yemen in Group H of the second round of qualifiers. The second round of qualifiers will kick off in November later this year.
