Sajana Rana

Sajana Rana

Personal information
Full name	Sajana Rana
Date of birth	13 June 1987
Place of birth	Waling, Syangja, Nepal[1]
Height	5 ft 3 in (1.60 m)[1]
Playing position	Midfielder
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps^†	(Gls)^†
-2015	APF Club
2015-	New Radiant (futsal)
National team
?	Nepal U-23	?	(?)
2010—	Nepal	8	(8)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (goals)

Sajana Rana (born 13 June 1987) is a Nepalese women's footballer who currently is part of the Nepal women's national football team and plays as a futsal midfielder for New Radiant's women's team having previously played for the APF Club.

Club career

In 2013 Rana won the most valuable player award at the 15th edition of the women's Ncell Cup. As a prize she was gifted one Yamaha scooter.^[2]

In 2015 it was announced that Rana would be moving to the Maldives to play futsal for New Radiant from March to April. In doing so Rana becomes the first ever Nepali women's footballer to play abroad.^[3] In the second game for her new club Rana scored twice to book her team's place in the regional tournaments quarter final.^[4] "I am enjoying it her in Malé. I scored two goals in our second match and I am determined to score goals un our very important match lining up" Rana told the press after the game.^[4]

International career

Rana made her debut for Nepal in the 2010 SAFF Women's Championship.^[3] In a friendly match against Kuwait Rana scored in the very first minute in what ended up being a historic 8-0 victory for Nepal.^[5] Rana came into the 2012 SAFF Women's Championship caring a significant knee injury sustained in 14th edition of the women's Ncell Cup,^[6] yet she still managed to score three goals during the tournament, in a 8-0 win over Pakistan^[7] and scored twice in a 7-1 win over Afghanistan.^[8]

Coming into the 2014 SAFF Women's Championship Nepal were missing Jamuna Gurung, and it was Rana's job to support star striker Anu Lama. Rana herself scored two goals in another 8-0 victory over Bhutan^[9] as well as the second goal in the form of a penalty kick in a 2-0 win over Pakistan although in the same match she missed another penalty latter on in the game.^[10] In the semi-finals against Bangladesh Rana scored yet another spot-kick as the only goal in a tight 1-0 win.^[11] The tournament would end bitterly for Nepal as they once again lost to India in the final by a 6-0 scoreline.^[12]

References

1. "Sajana Rana - GoalNepal Player Profile". GoalNepal.com. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
2. "15th Ncell National Championship: Sajana Rana Declared MVP; Receives Yamaha Scooter". GoalNepal.com. 1 November 2013. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
3. Manoj Singh (9 March 2015). "Nepal Midfielder Sajana Rana Becomes First Nepal Women International To Play Abroad!". GoalNepal.com. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
4. Manoj Singh (25 March 2015). "Cheli Sanja Rana Scores Two Goals In Maldives Futsal Championship". GoalNepal.com. Retrieved 27 March 2015.
5. "Kuwait City: Anu Lama Shines as Nepal Eves Thrash Kuwaitis In First Friendly Match". goalnepal.com. 12 January 2013. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
6. "2nd SAFF Women Championship: Attacking Midfielder Sajana Rana Suffering From Knee Injury". goalnepal.com. 13 April 2012. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
7. "Nepal vs Pakistan, 8 September 2012: Live Commentary". GoalNepal.com. 8 September 2012. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
8. "Nepal vs Afghanistan, 12 September 2012: Live Commentary". GoalNepal.com. 12 September 2012. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
9. "Nepal vs Bhutan, 12 November 2014: Live Commentary". GoalNepal.com. 12 November 2014. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
10. "Nepal vs Pakistan, 14 November 2014: Live Commentary". GoalNepal.com. 14 November 2014. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
11. "Nepal vs Bangladesh, 19 November 2014: Live Commentary". GoalNepal.com. 19 November 2014. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
12. "BREAKING NEWS: India Clinch 3rd SAFF Championship Beating Nepal". GoalNepal.com. 21 November 2014. Retrieved 2 February 2015.