Nawayug Shrestha scored another hat-trick as Nepal defeated Maldives 4-3 in a thrilling match of Sag Men’s Football semi-final in Guwahati, India.

Shrestha scored on the 36th, 118th and 120th minute of the match as Nepal reached the final of the Sag Men’s Football final after 17 years.

Nepal was leading 2-0 until half time with goals from Anjan Bista (15th minute) and Shrestha when defensive lapses saw Maldives equalise and push the match for extra-time at Nehru Stadium. Mohamad Hamza and Ahmed Nasid scored for Maldives on the 52nd and 85th minute respectively.

Maldives again scored on the 115th minute of extra time through Hasan Naiz when goalkeeper Bikesh Kuthu failed to control an aerial ball and spilled it only for Naiz to smash into the Nepali net. Shrestha then levelled on the 118th minute and scored the winner two minutes later to send Nepali fans, players and officials into wild celebrations in the stadium.

This is Shrestha’s second hat-trick in the tournament.

Nepal played with 10 men for almost an hour after Kamal Shrestha was yellow carded for second time in the match on the 65th minute.

Nepal will play against India in the final on February 15. India defeated Bangladesh 3-0 in the other semifinal match.

Nepal had not reached the final of the tournament since their defeat against Bangladesh in 1999 finals. Nepal has won gold twice in 1984 and 1993 Sag Men’s Football.