Nepal’s hope for a maiden berth in the Asian Cup ended in Vietnam as they lost 0-1 to the hosts at Go Dau Stadium in Ho Chi Minh City in their second fixture of the qualifier’s group stage on Tuesday.

Having lost 1-3 on October 9 at the same venue in the first leg, which was Vietnam’s home game, there was only one goal to decide on Tuesday. Further, the goal was an own goal.

In the 5th minute, a corner kick by Vietnam reached the six-yard box, and when goalie Kiran Chemjong tried to grab it, the ball got deflected off Suman Shrestha, who was trying to clear it away.

The match itself started half an hour later as the stadium received heavy rainfall. Until the end of the match, the ball was still being disturbed by water accumulated in the ground, making it difficult for both sides.

Nepal had the first chance to score, in the 3rd minute, but Manish Dangi was obstructed by water inside the 18-yard box.

It was thanks to the defensive effort alongside some great saves by Chemjong that Nepal were able to prevent the lead from extending further. It kept Nepal’s chance of equalising with a single goal and earning their first point in the qualifier in four games.

But as in the previous three games, which they all lost, the ill fate repeated. Vietnam dominated the match, kept attacking more, but Nepal also had a few chances. One of the other best chances came in the 85th minute, but substitute Dinesh Henjan chipped the ball not only over the goalkeeper, but also over the frame.

Nepal now have two more games remaining in the qualifier—against Malaysia on November 18 and Laos on March 31, 2026.

Rohit Chand’s ‘100th cap’

Chand, who was in the third batch of the ANFA Academy, debuted for Nepal on March 26, 2009, against Palestine in the AFC Challenge Cup Qualifier. After over 16 years, when he faced Vietnam on Tuesday, it was his 100th cap.

Nepal had only one player—Kiran Chemjong—in history to reach the milestone. Now, there are two. Chand would have reached the milestone much earlier, but he missed several games due to an injury on his left knee, which required surgery.

Further, Chand also missed the opportunity to mark the achievement in front of the Nepali crowd, at the home of Nepali football—Dasharath Stadium. Had the stadium been up to the AFC standards, Nepal would have hosted Tuesday’s game, which was the Gorkhali’s home fixture, in Kathmandu.

Chand, who has played in both the midfield and defence, has scored only one goal in 100 matches. It came against Afghanistan last year.

Nepali players and staff celebrated his achievement ahead of the match. He was gifted a jersey, with ‘100 caps’ written below his No 23 on the back.