Sports
Nepal go down to India
Hosts Nepal finished Group ‘B’ runners-up after it succumbed to a 2-1 defeat to India in the Saff U-15 Championship at the Anfa Complex, Satdobato on Wednesday.Hosts Nepal finished Group ‘B’ runners-up after it succumbed to a 2-1 defeat to India in the Saff U-15 Championship at the Anfa Complex, Satdobato on Wednesday.
In a clash between the teams that had already qualified for semi-finals, visiting side netted goals in either half to top the three-team group with maximum six points. Nepal finished with three points while Maldives returned home pointless after losing against the hosts and India. The outcome meant Nepal will meet Group ‘A’ winners Bangladesh in the semi-finals and India play Bhutan for final spots.
The Indian side came up with much organised show in comparison to Nepal and opened the scoring in the 27th minute capitalising on a blunder from custodian Bishal Sunar. The shot stopper dropped forward Bekey Oram’s strike just in front of the goal line providing an opportunity for Indian skipper Vikram Pratap Singh to head into the nets.
“We lacked proper coordination between the defenders and goalkeeper,” Nepal’s coach Sunil Shrestha commented after the match.
“We had tried our best to win the match and players also worked hard. But our plan in the midfield was not successful.”
Backed by noisy home supporters, Nepal levelled the scores two mintues before the interval after Nepal earned a penalty. Bhutanese referee Ugyen Dorji awarded penalty to Nepal after Akash Budha Magar was fouled inside the zone by defender Moirangthem Thoiba Singh. Though Roshan Rana Magar had his penalty blocked by Indian goalie Lalbiakhlua Jongte, the skipper tapped in goalie’s rebounder to bring the equaliser.
India restored their one goal cushion in the 63rd minute after midfielder Ravi Bahadur Rana was allowed for a free header inside the zone in a freekick taken by Givson Singh Moirangthem. India created more than half a dozen chances in the match and saw two of their attempt hitting the woodwork. Thoba Singh header in the fourth minute crashed on the crossbar and Lalkorima ended up with the same fate in the 39th.
Despite enjoying even goal possession, Nepal created very few clear scoring chances. Skipper Rana Magar tapped inches wide from close range in the 47th minute after the Indian defenders erred to open up a chance for Nepal. India coach Biniano Fernandes said that the match against home team was tough.
“Nepal played well in the second half and piled more pressure on us,” he said pointing on his side’s need to make improvements in attacking line.