Goalkeeper Kiran Chemjong saved first two spot kicks as Nepal defeated Laos 3-0 in tie breaker to enter the inaugural AFC Solidarity Cup final at the Negeri Stadium in Kuching, Malaysia on Saturday.

The match was pushed spot kicks after the 90-minute regulation time locked at 1-1 and the extra time finished at 2-2 before Chemjong heroics put Nepal into their third successive final. They are in the verge of completing a title treble having previously won Bangabandhu Gold Cup in Bangladesh followed by a gold medal finish in the 12th South Asian Games held in India. Both tournaments were held earlier this year.

In the final slated for November 15, Nepal will take on Macau who, later in the day, edged Brunei 4-3 in tie breaker after the normal and 30-minute extra time ended on a 1-1 stalemate.

Heman Gurung, Rajendra Rawal and Bikram Lama all converted from the spot for Nepal. Chemjong was at his best as he perfectly anticipated diving to his right to save Laos’ first shot from Bounlien Bounpachack. He then denied Sitthideth Khanthavong diving to his left. The victory was all sealed

after Chanthaphone Waenvongsoth shot agonizingly wide off the post.

Nepal coach Gyotoku Koji lauded the hard work from his boys. “My players did better than in the previous two games. It was hard work from the entire team. Kiran made two great saves. Every member of the team is a hero,” said Koji. The Japanese added: “Boys played hard for 120 minutes today. Playing three matches in quick succession after more than five-month hiatus was difficult for us. But our boys never gave up and that is what kept us in the game.”

In an exciting contest, it was Laos who leapt ahead in the game through Xaisongkham Champthong before Bimal Gharti Magar brought Nepal on level terms in the second half. Ananta Tamang put the team ahead in the extra time and just as it seemed Nepal were heading into the title showdown, Xaisongkham forced tie-breaker scoring in the 117th minute.

Nepal began the match with better ball possession and had their first shot at the goal in the 23rd minute after Gharti Magar fed Bharat Khawas inside the area. Khawas did well to dodge two defenders but his shot was not placed well enough to beat Laos goalkeeper Vieng Akhom Vilavong.

Laos struck against the run of play in the 18th minute after Xaisongkham made full use of a poor marking from Biraj Maharjan to head a high ball from skipper Sangvone Phimmasen to beat Chemjong. Five minutes later Khawas’ shot from the area deflected off the defender as Laos gained slight edge heading into the second half.

Nepal levelled just two minutes after the resumption when a cross from Khawas from the right found Gharti Magar, who perfectly placed the ball into the nets with a fine header. In what was a lucky escape, Nepal left Khanthavong unmarked insdie the area but the forward hit the wood works from a close-range. Luck continued to strike Nepal as Tamang made a goal line clearance of a Xaisongkham header in the final minute of added on time after Chemjong had left the post unguarded.

Tamang, who previously rescued Nepal multiple times, scored in the 104th minute with a free header following a cross from Gurung. But Xaisongkham prolonged Nepal’s wait for victory forcing tie breaker with another close range header on a cross from Phouthone Innalay.

Semi-final results 

Nepal    2-2    Laos

        (Nepal win 3-0 in tie breaker)

Macau    1-1    Brunei

        (Macau win 4-3 in tie breaker)