Nepal secured a memorable victory over Singapore in a friendly match held at the National Stadium in Kallang on Friday. A single goal from Gillespye Jung Karki in the 12th minute was enough to separate the two teams, marking Nepal’s first-ever win against Singapore after three losses and one draw.
A Historic Win Under New Coach Matt Ross
This victory was particularly significant as it was the debut game for Nepal’s new head coach, Matt Ross. Nepal’s past encounters with Singapore date back 36 years, with their first match on May 5, 1982, in the King’s Cup, where Nepal lost 0-2. The teams met again in 1986 for the Nepal Panchayat Silver Jubilee Cup, ending in a goalless draw. In the 1989 World Cup Qualifiers, Nepal suffered two heavy defeats (0-3 and 0-7).
However, Karki’s goal on Friday changed history, making him the only Nepalese player to score against Singapore. The goal came from a beautiful low-grounded cross provided by Manish Dangi, which Karki finished brilliantly with a first-touch strike. He has now scored in back-to-back matches, having also found the net against Afghanistan.
Defensive Masterclass and Heroics from Chemjong
Nepal put on an impressive defensive display, with captain and goalkeeper Kiran Chemjong pulling off eight crucial saves. He denied Singapore multiple times, including a 1v1 stop against Harhys Stewart. Rohit Chand and Ananta Tamang once again proved why they are Nepal’s best defensive duo, while debutant Suman Shrestha put in a strong performance alongside them.
Manish Dangi also showcased his attacking prowess in the match. At one point, he used his blistering pace to carry the ball forward from the center line, but a last-ditch tackle from a Singapore defender stopped him from going through on goal. Had he managed to get past, he would have been one-on-one with the goalkeeper.
The match saw three yellow cards—Ananta Tamang and forward Manish Dangi for Nepal, and Kyoga Nakamura for Singapore.
Nepal vs Singapore: Struggles Off the Pitch
Nepal would not have played this away fixture if the Dasharath Stadium had met AFC’s standards for international matches. Instead, they exchanged their scheduled home game against Malaysia for an away fixture in November. This led to a friendly against Singapore as Nepal traveled to Malaysia.
Despite an agreement between ANFA and AD Release Pvt Ltd to broadcast the matches, fans were left frustrated due to poor video quality. The match was aired live on ADR Sports’ YouTube channel and Action Sports HD, but the feed was frequently disrupted. Many Nepali fans in Singapore turned up to support the team in the stadium, but those watching from home struggled to follow the action, including Karki’s goal.
For more updates on Nepal’s football journey, visit the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) official website.
Looking Ahead
Nepal now shifts focus to their upcoming FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifier against Malaysia on March 25. With momentum on their side, the team aims to continue their impressive run.
“We want to keep this momentum,” said Karki, hopeful of another strong performance in the next match.
Nepali fans will be eager to watch their team in action, but concerns remain over the broadcast quality. Whether ANFA and AD Release Pvt Ltd can improve the viewing experience remains to be seen.
