Nepal get direct entry into the third round after Qatar and China qualify for finals as their group winners and runners-up.

The Socceroos can cement their place atop Group ‘B’ with a victory while Almutairi’s side will not still be assured of a place in the next round of Asian qualifiers even if they bag an almost impossible win.

The 3-0 defeat at the Al Kuwait Sports Club leaves the South Asian side with an almost impossible task of defeating Australia in their next match to keep afloat their faint hopes of securing a direct berth into the third round of Asian Cup qualifiers.

Forward Anjan Bista and substitute Nawayug Shrestha score a goal each as coach Almutairi’s team register an identical 2-0 victory over the same opponents to strengthen their grip on the fourth position in Group ‘B’.

Nepal are practically out of the World Cup qualifiers race but can still progress into the next round of Asian Cup qualifiers if they don’t drop to the bottom.

Nepal are set to play a friendly football match against Asian giants Iraq at the Al Fayhaa Stadium in Basra today with the ambition of fine tuning their preparations for the joint qualifiers of the 2022 World Cup and 2023 AFC Asian Cup.

Coach Almuitari has named a 23-member squad excluding the in-form defender Ranjit Dhimal among others for the remaining three matches of the 2022 FIFA World Cup and 2023 AFC Asian Cup joint qualifiers, along with Iraq friendly.

Coach Bal Gopal Maharjan’s men thrash Lalitpur City 3-0 to set up title showdown against Dhangadhi FC.

Raju Tamang’s men defeat Butwal Lumbini 1-0, will meet Kathmandu Rayzrs in the virtual semi-final match today.

Bishal Rai netted the decisive goal 18 minutes into the additional half-hour as they beat Kathmandu Rayzrs 2-1 in the first qualifier match.

Anjan Bista-led side beat Biratnagar 4-0 to go third while Biraj Maharjan’s team unseat Pokhara at fourth with a 1-0 win over Dhangadhi.

Goals from Shrestha and Rimgago inflict FC Chitwan a 2-0 defeat as Meghraj KC-led side become first team to exit from the playoff contention.

The Cameroonian scored the first hat-trick of the tournament as Bal Gopal Maharjan's side edge Biratnagar 5-4 in a high scoring thriller, Lalitpur bag first win.

The 1-0 victory over Pokhara Thunders lifts national skipper Kiran Kumar Limbu’s side three points clear atop the standings of Nepal Super League.

Bal Gopal Maharjan’s side are level on seven points with leaders Biratnagar and Dhangadhi after a 1-0 win over Butwal Lumbini.

Azerbaijan forward Nurlan Zahid misses a penalty but Ranjan Bista comes from the bench to rescue a point for Lalitpur.

Forward Nawayug Shrestha’s late goal ensures 1-0 victory for Pokhara while Aashis Lama and Laxman Ruchal score to overcome 2-0 deficit for Butwal Lumbini.

Three different players score as Yam Lzs's side thrash national captain Kiran Kumar Limbu-led Dhangadhi FC 3-0 in an empty Dasharath Stadium.

Limbu was a member of the Roundglass Punjab FC that won the I-League title in the 2020-21 season and was named the best goalkeeper in the past season with the same team.

Though the Indian Super League side Bengaluru were made to wait until the 51st minute to get on the scoresheet, they taught a harsh lesson to Army once they broke the deadlock.