Bimala Chaudhary scored the decisive goal as Nepal opened the Four Nations International Women’s Championship campaign with a 1-0 victory against Kyrgyzstan at the Dasharath Stadium in Kathmandu on Monday.

Nepal put the visiting side under pressure throughout the game and created flurry of chances but struggled with their finishing, with Chaudhary’s 10th minute header ultimately proving the difference.

Kyrgyzstan rarely threatened Nepali box and had only one shot attempt against Nepal’s 24 attempts.

Sabita Rana Magar had the first real opportunity in the opening stages, latching onto a rebound inside the six-yard box after Kyrgyzstan goalkeeper Abibulla Kyzy Dilnura parried Rekha Thapa’s effort. However, Rana Magar’s low-driven attempt narrowly missed the target.

Rana Magar made amends minutes later as she supplied a pinpoint cross for Chaudhary, who headed from close range to give Nepal the lead.

Nepal continued to pile pressure on the visitors and nearly doubled their lead in the 18th minute. Preeti Rai’s freekick from the left fell kindly to Chaudhary, who shot was brilliantly kept out by Dilnura. Kyrgyzstan’s Turalieva Nagima failed to clear her lines allowing Ghising to regain possession and cut back for Renuka Nagarkoti, who long-range strike sailed just over the bar.

Ghising, Rai, and Rekha Paudel all tested Dilnura further but failed to convert their chances.

Nepal had a golden opportunity to extend their lead in the added time of the first half when they made a series of attempts. Ghising’s effort from the edge of the area rattled the crossbar, and Rana Magar’s lofted follow-up struck the frame of the goal again. The loose ball fell to Paudel, but her attempt was heroically cleared off the line by Kyrgyzstan’s Myrzalieva Adilaida.

Nepal introduced star forward Sabitra Bhandari, who had arrived from France earlier in the day, to add more firepower after the break.

Despite her presence, Nepal struggled to break down a more resolute Kyrgyzstan defence in the second half.

Bhandari had a golden chance in the 64th minute when Rana Magar’s brilliant cross found her, but Bhandari failed to connect cleanly with her volley. The Kyrgyzstan defense hesitated in clearing the ball, allowing Rana Magar to reclaim possession and set up Paudel, who astonishingly missed from close range.

Kyrgyzstan had their best—and only—chance in the 65th minute when a swift counterattack saw them break into Nepal’s box. However, goalkeeper and captain Anijla Tumbapo Subba reacted swiftly to avert the danger.

Nepal should have put the game to bed in the 74th minute when Dilnura fumbled Rai’s free-kick, creating chaos inside the penalty area. However, the hosts failed to capitalize on the goalkeeper’s blunder.

Bhandari had a final opportunity in the dying moments, finding herself with the ball inside the six-yard box following another lapse from Dilnura. Yet, her hesitation allowed Kyrgyzstan defenders to intervene, with Rai’s subsequent long-range effort sailing over the bar.

Nepal will face Lebanon in their next match on Thursday.

Earlier, Myanmar made a strong start to the competition with a 3-1 victory over Lebanon, thanks to a dominant second-half display.

Win Theingi Tun put Myanmar ahead in the 57th minute with a curling strike from the edge of the area.

Lebanon hit back swiftly, as Layla Iskandar equalised in the 61st minute with a dazzling solo effort.

Myanmar, however, restored their advantage in the 72nd minute when Shwe Yee Tun noded home a well-placed header.

San Thaw Thaw sealed the victory in the 75th minute, converting a rebound after Lebanon goalkeeper Marcelle Skaiki had initially denied Myat Noe Khin’s powerful volley.