Nepal opened the Saff U-15 Championship with a 6-0 demolition of Maldives at the Anfa Complex in Satdobato on Monday that secured the hosts’ place in the semi-finals.

The victory was sufficient for Nepal to enter the knockout stage after inflicting Maldives their second defeat in the three-team Group ‘B’. Nepal will take on India, who overcame Maldives 9-0 on Saturday, on Wednesday to determine the group winners. Maldives crashed out of the tournament. 

The home team opened scoring in the 14th minute and they were 4-0 up going into break. Striker Brijesh Chaudhary scored a brace, while Darshan Gurung, Roshan Rana Magar, Akash Budha Magar and Roshan Dong added one goal each. “As planned we were on the offence from the onset. We scored goals, for sure, but should have scored even more,” Nepal coach Sunil Shrestha said. Nepal coach Sunil Shrestha said. “However, our aggression also exposed our defence but luckily they did not take advantage of it. We will improve on our defence in the next match.” Despite scoring half a dozen goal, Shrestha still rued on the missed chances. “India are somewhat a par opponent and we have to play better against them,” Shrestha said.

Chaudhary gave Nepal the 14th minute lead, scoring from a header. Darshan Gurung doubled the home team’s tally seven minutes later with a low drive from the area. Skipper Rana Magar made it 3-0 scoring from a penalty, which was awarded after Mohamed Faihaan Imrah handled the ball inside the area, in the 37th minute. Budha Magar, 32nd minute replacement for Ranjan Pun, netted fourth in the 45th minute capitalising on defensive errors.

Dong rubbed more salt to the Maldives wound with the fifth goal two minutes into the second half as the defender tucked in a rebound that came off Maldives custodian Mohamed Raif Abdulla’s block. Chaudhary sealed the comprehensive win scoring in the 74th minute as he unleashed a powerful shot from 25-yard leaving goalie Abdulla hardly any time to react. Nepal played the last few minutes with a man as defender Roshan Dong was sent off for his second booking in the 87th minute.

Maldives coach Mohamed Shaazly was happy with his side’s performance despite the hammering. He saw positives in the current squad despite conceding 15 goals in two matches. “I am happy with the performance but not with the outcome as we failed to utilise too many scoring chances,: Shaazly said. “I am happy because this team has potential.” He also blamed India of fielding over-aged players against them. “India are a strong favourite, they are physically strong,” he said.

Bhutan will take on Bangladesh on Tuesday in a match that will determine the Group ‘A’ winners. Both teams have already made it to semi-final at the expense of eliminated Sri Lanka.