Nepal national women’s team wrapped up their women’s football campaign of the Asian Games 2022 with a 1-1 draw against Bangladesh at the Wenzhou Sports Centre in Wenzhou, China on Thursday.

Both the South Asian neighbours had already crashed out of the Group D of the football competition following their losses against World Cup playing nations Japan and Vietnam. Nepal had lost to Vietnam 2-0 and suffered a 8-0 defeat against the mighty Japanese in their previous fixtures. Bangladesh was thrashed 8-0 by Japan and 6-1 at the hands of Vietnam.

Despite exiting the tournament, it was a tussle for status and Rekha Paudel headed in a cross from Sabitra Bhandari to equalise in the 83rd minute and help Nepal come from behind to earn a draw.

Sabina Khatun had given Bangladesh the lead in the 44th minute.

Nepal have now failed to defeat Bangladesh in their last four meetings. Their two previous friendly meetings ended in draws at BSSSMK Stadium in Dhaka. Bangladesh had defeated Nepal 3-1 in the SAFF Women’s Championship final in September 2022.

Japan topped the group with nine points after they defeated Vietnam 7-0 on Thursday.

Vietnam finished second and exited the competition.

China, Chinese Taipei, North Korea and South Korea also qualified to the last eight as group winners. Uzbekistan, Thailand and Philippines progressed as three best runners-up.

Poor show

Nepal’s dismal performance in other Asiad competitions continued as badminton players Prince Dahal, Nangsal Tamang and table tennis players Nabita Shrestha all lost their games.

Prince Dahal lost 21-8, 21-14 against Gerelsukh Jargal and Sunil Joshi suffered a 21-11, 21-7 defeat by Khuvituguldur Byambajav in the men’s team round of 16 badminton event against Mongolia.

In the women’s team round of 16 event against the Maldives, Rashila Maharjan lost to Fathimath Nabaaha 22-24, 21-19, 21-13 and Nangsal Tamang fell against Aminath Nabeeha.

In women’s singles Round of 32, Nepal’s Nabita Shrestha lost to Manika Batra of India 11-5, 11-4, 11-3, 11-2 and Sikka Suwal lost to Miu Hirano of Japan 11-7, 11-1, 11-4, 11-5.

Nabita and Sikka paired up for women’s doubles and lost again, beaten by Meng Chen and Yidi Wang of China 11-3, 11-4, 11-1.

Boxer Rabin Thapa lost to Chonryong So of North Korea 0-5 in the men’s 46-51kg Preliminaries Round of 16, that ended Nepal’s boxing challenge in men’s competition at the Games. A total of 13 boxers, including seven women’s boxers, participated in the competition.

Chandrakala Thapa will vie against Prontip Buapa of Thailand in the women’s 54-57kg preliminaries round of 16 on Saturday, while Saraswati Rana will meet Diem Quynh Luu of Vietnam in the women’s 66-75kg quarter-finals on Sunday in Nepal’s remaining boxing fixtures.

Nepali swimmers have also failed to perform in Hangzhou. Anushiya Tandukar also failed to exit from the heat after finishing third in the women’s 50m freestyle.

Nasir Yahya Hussain (men’s 200m freestyle), Duwana Lama (women’s 200m freestyle and 100m breaststroke) and Tandukar (100m freestyle) were eliminated from the heat.

Meanwhile, Jackie Yadav lost his men’s 80kg round of 16 bout to Anas Sadek of Jordan in taekwondo.