In a challenging return to the field, Nepal’s national football team faced a 4-0 defeat to Tajikistan in an international friendly match at Dushanbe Central Stadium on Wednesday. The Nepali side, competing for the first time in five months, struggled to find form, with Tajikistan controlling the game from start to finish.
Shervoni Mabatshoev and Alisher Jalilov led the scoring for Tajikistan, each netting two goals and exposing gaps in Nepal’s defense. The Gorkhalis, under newly appointed head coach Nabin Neupane, had a tough task ahead, lacking recent match experience and still without domestic league action. The All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) has not held the country’s top-tier competition, the Martyrs Memorial A-Division League, for over 500 days, affecting players’ fitness and game readiness.
Tajikistan opened the scoring in the 18th minute, with Mabatshoev slotting home from a cross by Safarov Manuchehr. In the 29th minute, Jalilov made it 2-0 by converting a rebound after his penalty kick was initially saved by Nepali captain Kiran Kumar Limbu. The penalty was awarded after Sanish Shrestha’s foul on Mabatshoev.
Tajikistan extended their lead to 3-0 just before halftime, with Mabatshoev capitalizing on a cross from Ehsoni Panshanbe in the 44th minute. Early in the second half, Jalilov completed the rout, taking advantage of a defensive error by Chiring Lama in the 49th minute. After dispossessing Lama, Shahrom Samiev set up Parvizjon Umarboev, who found Jalilov for a precise finish from close range.
Nepal’s attempt to rally by introducing Ayush Ghalan in the 74th minute yielded little impact, as Tajikistan’s defense held firm, denying Nepal any real scoring chances. This match marks Nepal’s fourth encounter with Tajikistan, with their previous loss being a 2-0 defeat in the 2018 Bangabandhu Gold Cup.
Nepal will now turn their focus to their next friendly against Afghanistan on Saturday, where they will aim to improve and regain confidence on the international stage.
