Kathmandu: Hosts Nepal pulled off a narrow 1-0 victory over Kyrgyzstan in their opening match of the International Women’s Championship at the Dasharath Stadium, Tripureshwar, on Monday.

Bimala Chaudhary scored the only goal for the home team in the early 10th minute though they struggled in the finishing department.  

Arguably facing off the least fancied team of the tournament, Nepal took the game under control from the onset and kept the visiting side under constant pressure. 

Backed by about seven thousand Nepali supporters, Nepal kept Kyrgyzstan goalkeeper Dilnaru Abibulla Kyzy busy registering almost dozen attempts on goal throughout the game. 

Nepal made their attacking intent clear from the opening whistle and came closer to scoring in the sixth minute. Sabita Rana Magar fired just inches wide from close range after she found a ball parried by goalkeeper Dilnaru Abibulla Kyzy in her attempt to block Rekha Paudel’s tight-angle strike. 

Nepal’s persistence paid off just four minutes later as midfielder Bimala Chaudhary headed to convert Sabita’s right flank cross giving Nepal a well-deserved lead. This goal marked Chaudhary’s second international strike.

Star forward Sabitra Bhandari, who had only just arrived in Kathmandu earlier in the day after her stint in France, was brought on as a second-half substitute. However, she was unable to make a significant impact on the match.

The closest Kyrgyzstan came to scoring came in the 57th minute when their attacker Alina Gaparova nearly found a ball in one-on-one situation with Nepal’s captain and goalkeeper Anjila Tumbapo Subba. Bue the goalie made a crucial sprint to clear the ball just in time.

Sabitra Bhandari came close to extending the lead in the 67th minute only for goalie Kyzy to deny her in a one-on-one situation. Sabita wasted another opportunity in the 81st minute firing wide from close with only the goalie standing in her way. 

In the day’s curtain raiser, Myanmar saw off Lebanon 3-1 at the same venue.

Hosts Nepal will take on Lebanon and Kyrgyzstan will vie against Myanmar on Thursday.