2025-11-17 17:01

I still remember watching that legendary boxing match 13 years ago at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, where Marquez finally got his sweet payback against Pacquiao by knocking him out cold in the sixth round. That moment of redemption reminds me so much of what's happening today with Nepal's national football team - a squad that's been fighting for recognition and finally starting to land some knockout punches of their own on the international stage.

When I first started following Nepali football about a decade ago, the team was ranked somewhere around 180th in the world, and honestly, most people outside South Asia probably couldn't have pointed to Nepal on a map if their lives depended on it. Fast forward to today, and we're seeing something special brewing in the Himalayas. The transformation has been nothing short of remarkable, and having watched their journey closely, I can tell you this isn't just another flash in the pan story.

The real game-changer for Nepal has been the emergence of what I like to call their "golden generation" of players. Take Kiran Chemjong, for instance - at 34, he's the veteran goalkeeper who's been between the posts for what feels like forever. I've watched this guy make saves that had no business being saved, and his leadership has been crucial during this resurgence. Then there's Anjan Bista, the 25-year-old forward who's already become the team's all-time top scorer with 14 international goals. I remember watching his debut back in 2015 and thinking this kid had something special, and boy has he proven me right.

What's particularly impressed me about this current squad is how they've managed to blend experienced campaigners with exciting young talent. Rohit Chand, who plays professionally in Indonesia, brings that crucial overseas experience that elevates everyone around him. Meanwhile, youngsters like 21-year-old midfielder Sunil Bal are showing maturity beyond their years. I was at the Dasharath Stadium last year when Nepal pulled off that stunning 2-0 victory over Bangladesh, and the energy from these young players was simply electric.

The statistics tell part of the story - Nepal has climbed to 174th in the FIFA rankings as of last month, which might not sound impressive until you realize they were hovering around the 190s just two years ago. But numbers don't capture the full picture. What's more telling is the growing confidence you see when they play. They're no longer just hoping to keep the score respectable - they're actually going into matches expecting to win, even against traditionally stronger opponents.

Their recent performance in the SAFF Championship was particularly eye-opening. Reaching the semifinals and pushing India to extra time showed that Nepal can compete with the best in South Asia. I've been covering football in this region for over 15 years, and I can tell you that the gap between Nepal and the traditional powerhouses like India and Bangladesh has never been smaller.

Part of this success comes down to better infrastructure and development pathways. The Martyrs Memorial A-Division League has improved significantly, and we're starting to see more Nepali players getting opportunities abroad. But if I'm being completely honest, I think the biggest factor has been the change in mentality. These players genuinely believe they belong on the same pitch as anyone in the region now, and that self-belief is worth its weight in gold.

There are still challenges, of course. Funding remains an issue, and the lack of proper training facilities compared to other countries puts them at a disadvantage. But having spoken with several players and coaching staff recently, I get the sense that these obstacles are only fueling their determination rather than holding them back.

Looking ahead, the 2026 World Cup qualifiers will be the real test of how far this team has come. While qualification might still be a bridge too far, the progress they've made suggests they could spring a surprise or two along the way. Personally, I'm most excited about the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers - I genuinely believe this could be the generation that finally gets Nepal to the big stage.

What Marquez achieved with that knockout punch against Pacquiao was about more than just winning a fight - it was about perseverance, about staying in the game long enough for your moment to come. That's exactly what Nepali football has been doing. They've taken their punches over the years, but they've kept fighting, and now they're starting to land some blows of their own. As someone who's followed this journey closely, I can't help but feel we're witnessing the beginning of something special. The rise of Nepali football isn't just happening - it's accelerating, and frankly, I'm here for every minute of it.