Kathmandu. The Nepali national women’s football team has slipped in the FIFA rankings. According to the rankings updated by FIFA on Thursday, Nepal has dropped one place to 100th place.
Nepal was previously ranked 99th. Nepal’s ranking was downgraded after it was defeated in an international friendly match played against Thailand as a preparation for the AFC Asian Women’s Cup qualifiers. Nepal was defeated 2-0 by the home team at the Thammasat Stadium in Thailand on May 30 and 1-0 in a practice match held in a closed stadium.
Nepal is ranked second in the South Asian rankings. India is ranked first in South Asia. India is ranked 70th in the world. Bangladesh, which is ranked third in South Asia, is ranked 128th in the world rankings, Pakistan is ranked fourth at 157th, Sri Lanka is ranked fifth at 159th, Maldives is ranked sixth at 163rd and Bhutan is ranked last at 171st.
Now, Nepal will play in the AFC Women’s Asia Cup qualifiers. Nepal is in Group ‘F’ in the qualifiers. Along with Nepal, the home team Uzbekistan, Laos and Sri Lanka are in this group. The winner of the group will secure a place in the AFC Women’s Asia Cup to be held in Australia next year.
Nepal is scheduled to play against Laos on June 29, Sri Lanka on July 2 and Uzbekistan on July 5 under the qualifiers.