Kathmandu, February 1 — In celebration of the Chinese New Year, a friendly football match between Nepal and China was held on Saturday at Kathmandu Dasarath Rangasala Stadium. The event was jointly organized by the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA), the Physical Education Faculty of Yunnan University, and the Overseas Chinese Association.
The occasion was honored by the presence of Nepali Minister for Women, Children, and Senior Citizens, Shradha Shrestha, and Charge d’Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Nepal, Zhou Pan. They were joined by representatives from various sectors, members of the overseas Chinese community, and enthusiastic spectators, all gathered to witness a spirited and festive encounter that blended competitive football with warm cross-cultural fellowship a true New Year’s celebration connected through sport and friendship.
In her address, Minister Shrestha expressed appreciation to the Chinese Embassy in Nepal and the National Sports Council for their meaningful initiative. She highlighted the unifying power of sports, noting that they “transcend language, geography, and politics, and serve as an effective medium to build friendship, cooperation, and trust.”
Charge d’Affaires Zhou Pan spoke warmly of the longstanding ties between the two countries. He described China and Nepal as neighbors linked by mountains and rivers, with a deep and enduring people-to-people friendship that has flourished over millennia. He emphasized that the “New Year Cup” friendship match was not merely a sporting contest, but an important platform for youth exchanges, skill-sharing, and mutual cultural understanding.It served, he said, as a lively reflection of the traditional“mountain and river linked, heart to heart connected” friendship between the two nations.
Zhou added that in recent years, under the strategic guidance of both countrie's leaders, the China-Nepal Comprehensive Strategic Partnership of Cooperation has grown steadily, with practical collaboration and cultural exchanges deepening continuously. China, he stated, is ready to usethis event as a catalyst to further expand bilateral exchanges in sports,youth, culture, and other fields, strengthening the popular foundation of China-Nepal relations so that “the flower of friendship may bloom eternally in the hearts of our two peoples.”
More than 10,000 spectators filled the stadium, creating an electric atmosphere as they cheered on their teams.
China seized an early advantage, opening the scoring at 41st minute and controlling much of the first-half tempo. Nepal, however, stayed disciplined and patient, setting the stage for a second-half resurgence.
The host side found it's rhythm after the break, equalizing at 84th minute a goal that ignited both the team and the crowd. Moment swung decisively in Nepal’s favor. When a second goal followed just minutes later at 87th minutes. Demonstrating cohesive teamwork and sustainedpressure, Nepal capped its impressive comeback with a third goal at 95th minutes, sealing a 3–1 victory to the delight of the home supporters.
The match was broadcast live by South Asia Network TV, the event’s media partner.
After the final whistle, a lucky draw was held for spectators, with the grand prize being a round-trip ticket from Kathmandu to the picturesque Chinese city of Yunnan. The closing ceremony underscored the match’s success in promoting women’s improvement, friendly entertainment, and goodwill between Nepal and China.
