Nepal made a marked improvement to their AFC U-19 Championship Qualifiers on Sunday with a 1-1 draw against Kuwait during their Group ‘E’ match at the Samen Al-Aeme Stadium in Mashhad, Iran.

The result was remarkable for the Saff U-19 Championship winning Nepali team after a humiliating 1-0 loss at the hands of hosts Iran in their opening encounter on Friday. After playing a goalless first half, the national team and the U-19 skipper Bimal Gharti Magar put Nepal ahead with the 61st minute goal. But Nepal’s lead lasted only for 10 minutes as Khaled Alenezi scored an equaliser for Kuwait, who beat Jordan 2-1 on Friday.

With Iran playing Jordan in the late kick off on Sunday, Kuwait lead the standings with four points from two games. Iran are second with three points from one game, while Nepal are next in third with one point from two matches. Jordan are yet to open their account.

Ten Group winners and five best runners-up will qualify for the 2016 AFC U-19 Championship Finals. Bahrain are already assured of the Finals berth as hosts

in the 16-team Finals. Nepal, who lost 10-0 in their opening game on Friday, will play their last Group ‘E’ match against Jordan.