Riffa, Bahrain – Nepal’s dreams of progressing to the next round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers and securing automatic qualification for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup have been dealt a massive blow. The Gorkhalis suffered a humiliating 5-0 defeat at the hands of a composed Bahrain side in the first leg of their second-round clash at the Bahrain National Stadium on Friday.
In a performance that can only be described as lacklustre, Nepal failed to create a single chance throughout the 90 minutes, as Vincenzo Alberto Annese’s men were outclassed in every department by the rampant Pearl Divers.
The result leaves Nepal rooted to the bottom of Group H without a point, having suffered three consecutive defeats in their opening three matches. More alarmingly, they have now conceded a staggering 11 goals without finding the back of the net themselves.
Annese’s tenure as Nepal’s head coach, which began in March 2022, has been marred by a series of disappointing results, casting doubts over his ability to guide the team to greater heights. The Italian tactician will undoubtedly face intense scrutiny in the coming days, with his methods and team selections coming under sharp criticism.
The warning signs were evident from the onset, as Bahrain took the lead within just two minutes. Mohamed Marhoon’s clever header from a long ball found Mahdi Al Humaidan, who poked the ball past a helpless Kiran Kumar Limbu in the Nepali goal.
Sayed Baqer’s tap-in from Waleed Al Hayam’s corner kick in the ninth minute doubled Bahrain’s advantage, exposing Nepal’s defensive vulnerabilities and lack of organization at the back.
Nepal’s misery was compounded in the 16th minute when Anjan Bista, one of their joint top scorers, was forced off due to injury, further depleting their attacking options.
Despite Bahrain taking their foot off the pedal after establishing a two-goal cushion, Nepal failed to capitalize, struggling to maintain possession and create meaningful opportunities.
Kiran Kumar Limbu’s brilliant one-on-one save to deny Ali Madan provided a rare moment of respite for the Gorkhalis, but it was merely a temporary reprieve.
Madan would eventually get on the scoresheet, heading home a rebound from Marhoon’s freekick on the stroke of halftime to make it 3-0 and effectively put the tie beyond Nepal’s reach.
While Nepal showed slight improvements in the second half, Bahrain remained in complete control, calmly managing the game and capitalizing on their opponents’ defensive frailties.
Ibrahim Al-Khatal’s powerful header in the 87th minute, set up by Hazza Mubarak’s pinpoint cross from the left, extended Bahrain’s lead to 4-0, rubbing salt into Nepal’s gaping wounds.
The humiliation was complete in stoppage time when Ismaeel Abdullatif converted from the penalty spot after Laken Limbu’s clumsy challenge on Al-Khatal inside the box.
The 5-0 scoreline not only highlighted Nepal’s struggles on the night but also called into question Annese’s decision-making, as he surprisingly omitted key players like Rohit Chand, Arik Bista, and Ayush Ghalan from his squad.
Instead, the Italian handed debuts to defender Saubhagya Rai and forwards Samir Tamang and Sanjeeb Bista, while also introducing Abhishek Limbu in defense. However, the gamble backfired spectacularly, as Nepal’s lack of depth and experience was brutally exposed.
Annese’s tenure has been plagued by inconsistency and underwhelming performances, with Nepal narrowly avoiding a shock defeat against South Asian minnows Bhutan during the Three Nations Cup in March 2022. They also struggled against Laos in the first round of the World Cup Qualifiers, scraping through with a hard-fought 2-1 aggregate victory, before enduring a dismal campaign at the 2023 SAFF Championship.
With Bahrain now sitting on six points from three matches, three points behind group leaders the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Nepal’s hopes of progressing to the next round and securing an automatic Asian Cup berth hang by a thread.
The two sides will meet again on Tuesday for the second leg in Riffa, with Nepal facing an uphill battle to salvage their campaign and restore some pride.
In the broader context, this humbling defeat serves as a stark reminder of the work that lies ahead for Nepali football. While the pain of this loss will linger, it presents an opportunity for introspection and a chance to address the underlying issues that have plagued the national team’s performances.
A comprehensive evaluation of the coaching staff, player development strategies, and overall football infrastructure will be crucial in charting a path towards sustained success on the international stage.
As Nepal grapples with the fallout of this demoralizing result, the onus will be on the entire football fraternity – from the governing bodies to the fans – to rally behind the team and provide unwavering support. Only through collective effort, resilience, and a commitment to long-term progress can Nepal rise from the ashes of this defeat and reclaim its place among the region’s emerging football powerhouses.
