Nepal defeated Macau 1-0 in an exciting final of AFC Solidarity Cup football tournament on Tuesday, making a biggest achievement in their football history. 

In the final match, Nepal completely dominated at the Negeri Stadium in Kuching, Malaysia. Midfielder Sujal Shrestha scored the decider at the half hour mark which turned out to the decider.

Shrestha headed home from the cross of Bharat Khawas right from the edge of the D-box in the 29th minute of the first half.

It was third consecutive title for Nepal having previously won Bangabandhu Gold Cup in Bangladesh and 12th South Asian Games football gold. 

The title is first for Nepal under their new coach Gyotoku Koji.

A total of seven countries that are lowly ranked in the FIFA World rankings had competed in the event. Nepal finished as the winner, without losing a match.

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If Nepal lifts the trophy on Tuesday it will be the biggest achievement in their history. Their best international success have been limited to South Asian regions. The victory will also mean that they clinch third successive silverware this year after winning the Bangabandhu Gold Cup in Dhaka and South Asian (SA) Games gold medal in Guwahati, India.

Nepal’s Japanese coach Gyotoku Koji was riding high on confidence saying: “We have the opportunity to become the first champions of the event.” Nepal do not have any injury concerns going into the title match. “Of course, our players are little tired considering that the semi-finals (against Laos) went to the penalties but we have the motivation to go all the way and clinch the trophy,” said Koji. The two teams have met five times previously with Nepal winning on three occasions and Macau once. One match between the teams had ended in a draw.

Nepal’s road to final was smooth as they started with a goalless draw against Timor-Leste before finishing Group ‘A’ as winners with a convincing 3-0 win over Brunei. However, Nepal were tested to their limits by Laos in the semi-finals where goalkeeper Kiran Chemjong stood tall in the tiebreaker saving the first two spot kicks. Nepal won 3-0 in shootouts after a thrilling 2-2 draw after 120 minutes.

Laos striker Xaisongkham Champathong was thorn in the eyes for Nepal as he scored both the Laos goals in the semi-finals and Nepal coach Koji was looking at yet another potential threat in Macau’s Nicholas Torrao, the tournament’s top scorer, in the final. “It’s going to be a very tough game for sure. We have to be wary of Torrao because he is a dangerous in front of goal,” said Koji.

Koji also believes that victory on Tuesday will provide much-needed lift to the country in its bid to rebuild the damaged infrastructure following last year’s devastating earthquake. He said the silverware can spur the authorities to invest more in Nepali football. “When the U-23 team won at the SA Games in March, there was a lot of government support and I hope if we win again it will be the same,” said Koji.

Macau coach Tam Iao San is sweating on the fitness of Torrao, who has scored four goals in the tournament so far, and will undergo a late fitness test to determine whether he will be ready for the final. “Mentally we’re well prepared, but we have some injuries,” Tam was quoted as saying by the AFC website. “Nikki has a problem with his hand, his right hand has a fracture and he had an x-ray yesterday, but he really wants to play because it’s the final.” Torrao has been a revelation for Macau so far, scoring twice in the games against Laos and Mongolia before being ruled out of the final Group ‘B’ game against Sri Lanka due to suspension.

Torrao is not the only injury doubt for Macau with midfielder Pang Chi Hang’s participation also under threat due to a twisted ankle sustained during Brunei game. Macau came into the tournament as outsiders and now, having reached the final, Tam believes his team can focus on enjoying the game. “Before the tournament we had set the target of reaching the semi-finals. We are already in the final now so there is no pressure for us.”