Kathmandu, May 6 -- Preeti Kulung Rai, nineteen-year-old midfielder for Nepal's national football team, caught everyone's attention on social media during the West Asian Football Federation (WAFF) Women's Championship in February and all for good reasons.

Rai's winning goal in a close game against Lebanon in the semi-final not only secured Nepal's spot in the final but also captured widespread attention , leading many to compare her with international football icons.

Interestingly, Rai didn't even know that Nepal had a women's national football team while she was growing up. For her, it was also about realising that girls can love and excel in football too, not just boys.

Growing up with four brothers, Rai enjoyed outdoor activities li...