A goalkeeping blunder cost Nepal dear as the hosts lost 1-0 to Iraq in the AFC U-16 Qualifiers 2018 at the Halchowk grounds on Wednesday.

Salah Ghazitalib scored the only goal of the game for holders of the AFC U-16 Championship thanks to the Nepali custodian Bishal Sunar in the 68th minute. As the ball from midfield rolled towards Sunar, the Nepali goalkeeper opted to pull it back inside the area rather than clearing it for safety, allowing Ghazitalib to dart in and shoot at the goal.

The victory saw Iraq go second behind leaders India with three points in the Group ‘D’ standings on goal difference alone. In an early kickoff, India hammered Palestine 3-0. Only the group winners are assured of their place in the finals to be played next year in Malaysia. But with five best runners-up from 10 groups also assured berths for the finals, there is more at stake even if a team fails to clinch the top place in their pool.

Despite the defeat, Nepal coach Sunil Shrestha praised his team for their valiant effort against the defending champions. “Only a combination of defensive and goalkeeping error condemned us to defeat.” Looking ahead, Nepal coach said his team had no other option than to go for victory to keep their qualification hopes alive. “We will try our best to win the next two matches and qualify for the finals.”

The home team got a reprieve in the 28th minute when defender Sanjib Aryal made a goalline clearance to deny a certain goal for Iraq. After a goal-mouth scramble, the ball fell to Mohammed Ridha Alghannami, who steered the ball towards the goal. But a timely intervention from Aryal kept Nepal very much in the match.

Nepal absorbed consistent pressure throughout the first half but managed to go into the break with scores level on 0-0. As it appeared Nepal would salvage a point against the defending champions, Sunar gifted Iraq the winning goal. 

Iraq coach Ali Hadi Mohsin said the hosts made them fight for three points and praised their tight defence. “The result will help us gain psychological edge in our next games. We will definitely raise our game now that we are aware of how each team play,” said Mohsin.

Earlier in the first game at the same venue, India recorded a emphatic 3-0 win over Palestine. Givson Singh Moirangthem, Bekey Oram and skipper Vikram Partap scored for India. India, who only last month clinched the Saff U-15 Championship in Kathmandu, were on the offence from the onset. Only a wayward shot from Oram early in the 11th minute kept the game scoreless. Palestine got another let off in the 27th minute as defender Harpreet Singh’s header off Oram corner rebounded of the woodwork.

Five minutes later Palestine got another reprieve as the goalkeeper appeared to have handled the ball while charging out of the area. But referee Pechsri Mongkolchai waved play on despite protest from Indian players. In the only notable chance that Palestine had, Omar Kabha played the ball into the hands of grateful Indian goalkeeper Lalbiakhlua Jongte in the 50th minute.

Indian pressure finally told in the 53rd minute when Moirangthem converted a superb freekick at the far post. The goal opened the floodgates and after missing out on adding to their tally three times in quick succession at the hour mark, Oram doubled their tally in 74th minute. India completed the rout with their influential skipper Partap adding the third in the 82nd minute. 

India coach Bibiano Fernandes said his boys deserved the victory the way they played against Palestine. “We won three points but we have not won anything yet as we have two more difficult matches left.” Regarding their next opponent, Fernandes said: The same team might have defeated Nepal in the Saff U-15 Championships final but since its a new game and new tournament the past result will make hardly any impact. 

His Palestine counterpart Yahya Jalayta said they will do their best to win the remaining two matches and qualify for the finals. “We came here only a day prior to the tournament and to add to our woes we are finding it hard to adjust to the local conditions, coming straight from Jordan, where  we held out training camp. It all contributed to our inability to perform to our potential,” said the Palestine coach.

Results

Nepal 0-1 Iraq

India 3-0 Palestine

Nepal suffer first loss against Bhutan