Nepal’s Friendly Encounter with Malaysia: Preparing for World Cup 2026 Qualifiers
Nepal’s football fervor reaches new heights as the Gorkhali, the national team, prepares to lock horns with Malaysia’s formidable squad, Harimau Malaya, in a pivotal closed-door friendly match.
Despite setbacks in recent World Cup 2026 qualifiers, including defeats against UAE and Yemen, the Gorkhali stand resolute, poised to refine their strategies and test their mettle against a formidable opponent.
Nepali supporters eagerly anticipate this clash, hoping for a resurgence from their team as they seek to overcome past encounters and make their mark on the pitch.
In their previous encounter, Nepal faced Malaysia in a friendly match, resulting in a 2-0 loss for the Nepali team. The match took place on June 2, 2019. This defeat serves as a backdrop to the upcoming friendly, adding an element of anticipation and motivation for Nepal to deliver a stronger performance against Malaysia.
Bahrain Encounter Adds Complexity to Nepal’s Football Journey
Nepal faces a logistical hurdle as they relocate their home match against Bahrain to a neutral venue due to poor stadium conditions, adding complexity to their upcoming fixtures.
As they brace themselves for the challenge, the Gorkhali understand the magnitude of facing Bahrain, a team that recently competed in the Asian Cup 2023, heightening the stakes of their impending clash.
Nepal’s Table Standing in World Cup 2026 Second Round Qualifiers Group H
| Team | Pld | W | D | L | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Arab Emirates | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Bahrain | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| Yemen | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| Nepal | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
- United Arab Emirates: The team has played 2 matches, winning both, which gives them a total of 6 points, placing them at the top of the standings.
- Bahrain: With 2 matches played, Bahrain has won 1 match and lost 1 match, earning 3 points and securing the second position in the standings.
- Yemen: Yemen has also played 2 matches, winning 1 and losing 1, resulting in 3 points and placing them level with Bahrain but lower due to goal difference.
- Nepal: Having played 2 matches, Nepal has unfortunately lost both matches, resulting in 0 points and placing them at the bottom of the standings.
Also Read: The Journey of Nepal’s Goal Machine, Sabitra Bhandari: The Guardian