Anjan Bista scores twice in Nepal’s win over Chinese Taipei

Nepal’s national football team pose for a portrait prior to their game against Chinese Taipei on Tuesday, September 10, 2019. Courtesy: Suman Chapagain

KATHMANDU: After suffering a heavy defeat against Kuwait, Nepal bounced back in style to beat Chinese Taipei 2-0 and secured their first win of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Preliminary Competition and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 Qualifiers, on Tuesday.

Anjan Bista broke the deadlock as early as in the fourth minute with a thumping header off Sujal Shrestha’s freekick and sealed his brace in the 62nd minute to give his team an unaccessible 2-0 lead in away encounter.

Both the teams created numerous goal-scoring opportunities but to no avail.

Before taking on Chinese Taipei today, Nepal had suffered a humiliating 7-0 defeat at the hands of Kuwait in away fixture five days ago.

Coach Yohan Kalin made three changes to the starting XI by bringing in Ranjit Dhimal and Dinesh Rajbanshi in place of Suman Aryal and Ajit Bhandari respectively.

Nepal’s Anjan Bista celebrates after scoring a goal against the hosts Chinese Taipei during 2022 FIFA World Cup Preliminary Competition and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 Qualifiers, on Tuesday, September 10, 2019. Courtesy: Suman Chapagain

Bista, who had earlier warmed the bench for most of the time, was reinstated into playing XI in place of Bikram Lama repaid his coach faith on him by scoring two match-winning goals in all-important fixture.

Despite suffering heavy loss to Kuwait, coach Kalin stuck to his attacking formation of the 1-4-5-1 system and stunned the hosts in their backyard.

With this victory, national team coach Kalin tasted the first victory after being appointed to the helm of Nepali football.

Nepal are pitted in Group B along with Australia, Chinese Taipei and Jordan.

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