Lalitpur, December 7

Nepali women’s national team is set to play an international friendly match against Malaysian women’s national team here at the ANFA Complex on December 17.

According to All Nepal Football Association, Malaysian team will reach Nepal on December 15 to play the match. Nepali team is preparing for the fourth SAFF Women’s Championship to be held in Siliguri, India from December 26 to January 4.

ANFA Chief Executive Officer and Spokesperson Indra Man Tuladhar said the match will be played as a part of the preparation for the championship. He also informed that ANFA would try to convince Malaysian officials for one more match. “One match has been confirmed and we are in conversation with Malaysian officials for one more match,” said Tuladhar.

Currently a 30-member squad is under closed camp training for the championship. Head coach Kumar Thapa and assistant coach Ashmita Khawas have been given the responsibilities for the training.

Nepal are pitted in Group A along with Sri Lanka, the Maldives and Bhutan. Nepal will play their opening match against Bhutan on December 26. They will meet the Maldives on December 28 before facing Sri Lanka two days later. Defending champions and hosts India, Bangladesh and Afghanistan are in Group B. The semi-finals will be played on January 2 and the final is slated for January 4.