Nepal entered the semi-finals of the AFC Solidarity Cup with a 3-0 victory over Brunei in their second and final Group ‘A’ match at the Negeri Stadium in Kuching, Malaysia on Tuesday.

Strikers Nawayug Shrestha, Bharat Khawas and Bimal Gharti Magar scored a goal in Nepal’s victory against what Brunei coach Kwon Oh-Son claimed as a second string side. Nepal finished winners from three-team Group ‘A’ with four points, while Brunei followed them as runners-up.

Nepal are yet to get their opponents for November 12 semi-final. Macau are already through from four-team Group ‘B’ having secured six points from two matches. Mongolia and Laos—three points each—will fight for the last available berth for the semis with winless Sri Lanka already out of the race.

Although the scoreline suggests it was a convincing victory, it took them more than 45 minutes to get their first goal having gone without a proper attempt on goal.

Shrestha put Nepal ahead making full use of a defensive lapse after Hairol Azman made a half clearance of Heman Gurung shot. The ball fell to Shrestha whose first attempt was saved by Brunei goalkeeper Wardun Yussof and the Nepali striker poked the rebound ball into the nets.

Khawas then produced the stunner in the 72nd minute with a thumping side volley after he received a ball from Sujal Shrestha on a corner from Gharti Magar. Brunei then conceded an unnecessary penalty after Mohammad Najib tripped Gharti Magar inside the area despite the player not even being in a position to retrieve the ball.

The referee pointed towards the spot and Gharti Magar put the issue beyond doubt blasting the spot kick into the roof of the net. In spite of a huge-margin victory, Nepal’s Japanese coach Gyotoku Koji was unimpressed by the team’s performance.

“I am not satisfied by today’s performance although the pitch was better and we managed to play possession-based football. We need to improve in the next match because I know Nepal can play far better than what they did today,” said Koji.

Brunei rarely had a chance at the goal and they missed the two clear opportunities they created. In the 38th minute, Kiran Chemjong saved a powerful close-range shot from Mohammad Shahrazen, while Mohammed Bahrin failed to score on one-on-one with the Nepali custodian after he agonisingly slipped while chasing for the ball.

The Brunei coach Kwon said he was anticipating the defeat. “We rested six of our regular players because they sustained minor injuries in the first game. Resting them meant our defense line suffered and Nepal managed

to score. We had rested them for the semi-finals and our  players must have learnt a lesson from today’s defeat,” said Kwon.