Nepal’s star striker Sabitra Bhandari delivered a masterclass in finishing as the Gorkhali Chelis stunned hosts Indian women football 2–1 in the final match of the Tri-Nation Women’s International Friendlies 2025 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong on Monday.
The Wellington Phoenix forward scored once in each half, sealing a famous win for Nepal despite a late Indian fightback led by substitute Karishma Shirvoikar. In front of a vibrant Shillong crowd, the contest offered a reminder of how far South Asian women’s football has progressed fast-paced, physical, and technically sharp. But on a drizzly evening in Meghalaya, it was Bhandari’s composure and class that made the difference. The match had barely begun when Nepal took the lead in the second minute, catching India cold. A long, looping ball from Nepal’s defensive line found Sabitra Bhandari, who deftly controlled it before slotting past the onrushing Panthoi Chanu Elangbam.
The finish was calm, the buildup simple, and the result devastating for the Blue Tigresses. The early goal rattled India. Nepal dominated the opening exchanges, pressing high and cutting passing lanes. Midfielders Preeti Rai and Renuka Nagarkote dictated tempo, while India’s buildup repeatedly faltered under pressure.
India’s first real chance came around the 15th minute, when Lynda Kom released Ratanbala Devi, whose curling left-footed shot forced a fingertip save from Nepal goalkeeper Anjana Rana Magar. The ensuing corner saw Dangmei Grace attempt an ambitious volley, but her effort was blocked.
By the 30-minute mark, India had found rhythm but not incision. Pyari Xaxa, introduced early for Rimpa Haldar, injected energy into the attack, linking well with Grace and Basfore. Yet the final ball remained India’s undoing misplaced crosses, hurried shots, and poor communication stifled momentum.
Nepal, meanwhile, looked dangerous in transition. A clever exchange between Bhandari and Rekha Poudel in the 43rd minute nearly produced a second goal, but Panthoi Chanu bravely rushed off her line to smother the ball at Bhandari’s feet. The halftime whistle arrived with the scoreline reading India 0–1 Nepal, and coach Crispin Chhetri faced the task of reviving his side’s creativity and composure.
Second Half: Bhandari’s Brilliance Doubles the Advantage
If India hoped for a resurgence after the break, it never materialized. Nepal came out sharper, hungrier, and more cohesive. The midfield pairing of Preeti Rai and Dipa Shahi cut off Indian supply lines, while Nepal’s full-backs pushed high to pin India’s wingers deep. In the 63rd minute came the moment of the night a stunning free-kick from Sabitra Bhandari. Standing 25 yards out, the Nepali captain curled her shot over the Indian wall with pace and precision. The ball dipped wickedly, sneaking just under the crossbar despite Panthoi Chanu’s full-stretch dive. It was a strike worthy of the occasion, doubling Nepal’s lead and silencing the Shillong crowd.
India were visibly deflated. Their long-ball strategy, aimed at exploiting Pyari Xaxa’s runs behind the defense, found little success against Nepal’s organized backline marshaled by Pujaa Rana and Bimala BK. Even as Karishma Shirvoikar and Babina Devi Lisham were brought on, clear-cut chances remained scarce. At the other end, Bhandari nearly completed her hat-trick in the 70th minute, unleashing a ferocious shot from distance that grazed the crossbar. Nepal’s attack looked fluid and confident, while India struggled to string passes together in the final third.
The introduction of Karishma Shirvoikar in the 60th minute added a spark India desperately needed. Tenacious and quick, the Goan forward pressed relentlessly and finally gave India a lifeline in the 81st minute. A soft foul on Ratanbala Devi gave India a free-kick in a dangerous area. Nirmala Devi Phanjoubam delivered a perfect ball into the box, and Karishma, timing her run to perfection, got the slightest of touches to guide it past Anjana Rana Magar.
The goal galvanized the Blue Tigresses. For the first time, the momentum shifted. Dangmei Grace and Lynda Kom surged forward, while captain Sangita Basfore marshaled the midfield with urgency. Nepal, however, responded with composure, managing the game smartly by slowing tempo and disrupting India’s rhythm. In the 85th minute, Bhandari almost sealed the game again her low drive forcing another fine save from Panthoi Chanu. But India’s late push lacked coordination. Despite six minutes of added time, the hosts could not fashion a clear opportunity to equalize.
When Thai referee Pansa Chaisanit blew for full-time, Nepal’s players celebrated in a tight huddle — a deserved 2–1 win and a fitting finale to the tri-nation tournament.
This match was, above all, a showcase of two contrasting stories. For Nepal, Sabitra Bhandari reaffirmed her status as South Asia’s most lethal striker two goals of sheer quality, combining finesse and intelligence. Her leadership, pressing, and movement constantly unsettled the Indian defense.
For India, Karishma Shirvoikar’s late strike was a glimmer of hope in an otherwise frustrating evening. She epitomized the next generation’s hunger, and her goal ensured India ended the night with some consolation.
Coach Crispin Chhetri will see this as a learning opportunity. India’s defense was too easily breached early on, and their attacking patterns lacked cohesion. Still, the individual performances of Lynda Kom, Dangmei Grace, and Karishma showed promise. For Nepal, this victory goes beyond the scoreboard. It was a disciplined, tactically astute performance built on quick transitions, compact defending, and the brilliance of one player who continues to define Nepali football.
Final Score: India 1 – 2 Nepal (Sabitra Bhandari 2’, 63’; Karishma Shirvoikar 81’)
Nepal leave Shillong with pride, having written another chapter in South Asian football’s growing rivalry. For India, the loss stings but the lessons learned under the floodlights of Shillong may yet shape their path ahead.
