Nepal missed a string of chances to open their AFC Solidarity Cup campaign with a goalless draw against Timor-Leste at the Negeri Stadium in Kuching, Malaysia, on Saturday.

The frustrating stalemate means Nepal will now have to wait for their semi-final fate until the completion of their next match against Brunei slated for November 8. With Timor-Leste crashing to a huge 4-0 defeat at the hands of Brunei, even a draw for Nepal will be sufficient to reach the semi-final from the three-team Group ‘A’.

After taking time to settle in the game, Nepal completely dominated the match but poor finishing, mixed with misfortune, forced them to share points against a side whom they had previously beaten convincingly during the 2014 World Cup Qualifiers five years ago.

Nepal’s new-found prolific scorer Nawayug Shrestha alone missed three clear goal scoring chances with one of his shots hitting the woodworks. Nepal coach Gyotoku Koji said the strikers alone were not to blame for the result. “The problem also was  how our midfielders did. They were supplying long passes making things more difficult,” said Koji.

The Japanese added his boys were not able to cope with the playing conditions. “We had been practicing in the turf for a long time and playing in the natural grass straight away was tough for us. Besides, the humidity also played its part,” the coach said adding his side will go into the next match with high optimism.

Nepal’s attack began with Nawayug in the sixth minute when the striker was set for a perfect ball inside the area for a one-versus-one with Timor-Leste goalkeeper Fernandes but he ended up hitting straight to the custodian. Seven minutes later, Fernandes blocked a powerful close-range shot from Anjan Bista and Nawayug once again shot straight to the keeper in rebound.

The frustration continued for Nawayug in the second half as his powerful shot from outside the area hit the post. In the 56th minute, Bikram Lama fed Nawayug inside the area with only the goalkeeper to beat, but the forward failed to connect the ball properly.

Koji introduced Bharat Khawas replacing wasteful Nawayug in the 61st minute but luck continued to desert Nepal. Ananta Tamang’s header hit the bar in the 69th minute, while Khawas made an excellent run with the ball dribbling past two Timor-Leste defenders in the 81st minute but didn’t find his teammates with his sublime cross sailing through the goalmouth.

Koji said Nepal needs to work to supply the ball properly from the midfield. “The players need to improve shooting, especially the long range from the midfield. The problem is we just have two days to prepare and I am hopeful we can do better,” he added.

With his side in all the danger of being eliminated, Timor-Leste coach Fabio Joaquim was left dejected. “Its difficult for us to qualify from this stage. We have to wait for the second game but the first match seems to have changed our fate,” said Joaquim.