Accra:Kathmandu Nepal bounced back from an initial setback to secure victory against the Maldives, winning 24-18 in the Begum Khaleda Zia IHF Women's Trophy of Nations (Asia Zone 2) at Shaheed Captain Maansur Ali National Handball Stadium.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Bimala Tamang led the Nepalese team with an outstanding performance, scoring seven goals and earning the Player of the Match award for the first time in her career. She expressed immense happiness and credited the team's collective effort for the victory.
The match was tightly contested in the first half, with Nepal holding a slender 12-11 lead at halftime. They increased their attacking intensity in the second half, ultimately securing a six-goal win. In addition to Bimala's contribution, Kalpana Oli and Uma Rai each scored four goals for Nepal, while Aishath Iba Ahmed was the Maldives' top scorer with five goals.
Bimala noted that the initial defeat against Bangladesh did not demoralize the team but instead bolstered their resolve for upcoming matches. She highlighted the team's mental strength and readiness for future challenges, expressing optimism about their chances of reaching the final. Nepal's win maintains their hopes of advancing in the tournament.