KATHMANDU: After a gap of six years, Nepal’s national women’s football team faced Iran again but failed to replicate their past success, conceding a comfortable 3–0 defeat in the Three Nations Cup opener on Friday at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong, India.

The two sides had last met in the 2019 Hero Gold Cup held in India, where Nepal had triumphed 3–0 thanks to two goals from Sabitra Bhandari and one from Anita Basnet.

This time, however, Iran reversed the scoreline to claim a convincing victory and avenge their previous loss.

With this win, Iran remained unbeaten and clinched the title of the Three Nations Cup.

Earlier, they had defeated the host team India 2–0, with both goals scored by Sara Didar — who once again proved decisive against Nepal by breaking the deadlock.

Both teams played a goalless first half, but Iran dominated the second half with a burst of attacking football, scoring all three goals within 12 minutes.

Sara Didar opened the scoring in the 49th minute, followed by Zahra Ghanbari just three minutes later.

Sabanam Behisit sealed the victory with the third goal in the 57th minute.

Nepal will now play against the host nation, India, on Monday in what will be their final match — a chance to secure a consolation win.