Nepal suffered a 2–1 defeat to Indonesia in an international friendly on Wednesday. Playing at the Maguwoharjo Stadium in Yogyakarta, the hosts overturned a one-goal deficit to claim the victory. Nepal had taken the lead with the help of an Indonesian own goal.

Vivi Oktavia Riski made a blunder when she tried clearing the header by Bimala BK off an Anita Basnet corner.

Despite holding on to the lead for the first half, Nepal sustained an equaliser in the second half. Gea Yumanda, the Indonesian skipper, levelled the score in the 58th minute.

Preeti Rai made a shot in the early seconds of the 67th minute, but it was saved by the Indonesian goalkeeper Alleana Ayu Arumy. And when she played the ball ahead, substitute Aulia Al Mabruroh capitalised on the rebound off the goalkeeper to give the lead in the late seconds.

Nepal played without star forward Sabitra Bhandari, and the team struggled to build precise attacking moves in her absence due to injury. Nepal will now face Chinese Taipei on Tuesday in their next match of the tri-nation friendly.

This is Nepal’s second defeat to Indonesia in international women’s football. Nepal had previously lost to Indonesia at the 1989 AFC Women’s Championship, but defeated them in the 2019 AFC Women’s Olympic Qualifiers.