A Rivalry Reborn After Six Years
The last encounter between these two sides dates back to the Hero Women’s Gold Cup 2019 in Bhubaneswar, India, where Nepal produced one of their most dominant international performances — defeating Iran 3–0.
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⚽ 41’ – Anita Basnet
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⚽ 79’ & 89’ – Sabitra “Samba” Bhandari
That iconic victory helped Nepal reach the final of the tournament, narrowly losing to Myanmar, but the win over Iran remains a defining moment in Nepal’s women’s football history.
Fast-forward to 2025 — and the stage is set once again. Five players from that glorious 2019 lineup — Anjila Tumbapo Subba, Hira Kumari Bhujel, Saru Limbu, Anita Basnet, and Sabitra Bhandari — are still part of the squad, bringing both experience and pride into this much-anticipated rematch.
Current Form and Context
Iran enters the match on the back of a commanding 2–0 victory over India in the tournament’s opening fixture, with Sara Didar scoring twice (64’, 74’) to seal the win. The team currently sits 70th in the FIFA World Rankings, showcasing their steady progress in recent years.
Nepal, ranked 87th, will be led by newly appointed head coach Nabin Neupane in his first official outing. His squad combines experienced internationals with emerging young talents such as Mina Deuba and Purnima Rai, while star striker Sabitra “Samba” Bhandari — fresh from scoring her debut goal for Wellington Phoenix in Australia — headlines the attack.
Match Details
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🏆 Competition: Women’s Tri-Nation International Series (India, Iran, Nepal)
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📍 Venue: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (Polo Ground), Shillong, India
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🗓 Date: Friday, October 24, 2025
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⏰ Kick-off: 6:15 PM Nepal Time / 6:00 PM IST
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📺 Live Stream: FIFA+ Website & App
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🌍 FIFA Rankings: Iran – 70 | Nepal – 87
Looking Ahead
This fixture serves as Nepal’s first major international test since the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers earlier this year. It also marks a crucial step in building rhythm ahead of the India clash on October 27 and the 3-Nation FIFA Women’s Series in Indonesia (Nov 26 – Dec 2), featuring Chinese Taipei and Indonesia.