Nepal fell to the United Arab Emirates in a 4-0 defeat on Thursday in the opening match of the second round of the FIFA World Cup and AFC Asia Cup qualifiers.
The Emiratis took control early on, scoring their first goal in the 10th minute when Ali Saleh Amro’s cross found Alhamadi’s head for a goal. The Emirates’ lead was extended through a well-executed corner by midfielder Abdallah Ramadan Bekhit.
Captain Ali Ahmed Mabkhaut played a key role, scoring two goals for the UAE. The second goal came from a penalty in the 38th minute, expertly taken by Mabkhaut after Amrit Shrestha’s tackle inside the box.
The UAE capitalized on set pieces, scoring their third goal just before halftime. Mabkhaut’s straightforward header found the back of the net, capitalizing on the disarray among the Nepalese defenders.

In injury time, Fabio Lima sealed the victory with a one-touch goal on a counter-attack initiated by Bekhit’s precise cross.
Despite efforts from both sides in the second half, with Manish Dangi and Canido Korea attempting shots, the keepers on both ends managed to keep their sheets clean. Nepal’s Rohit Chand, a defensive stalwart, thwarted additional scoring opportunities.
Noteworthy in this game were the debuts of three Nepali players in international football. Chhiring Gurung earned his spot in the starting eleven, marking his debut as the first player. Yogesh Gurung and Anjan Rai, coming on as substitutes, also made their first appearances on the international stage.
Looking ahead, Nepal is set to face Yemen in their subsequent encounter on November 21 at their home ground, Dasharath Stadium. The team will be eager to rebound from this challenging start and make a mark in the ongoing tournament.