A dominating Nepal claimed the first edition of the AFC Solidarity Cup with a 1-0 victory over Macau at the Negeri Stadium in Kuching, Malaysia on Tuesday.

Sujal Shrestha struck with a header in the 29th minute to cap a memorable year of football for Nepal, who this year claimed the Bangabandhu Gold Cup in January in Bangladesh and 12th South Asian Games gold 22 days later in Guwahati, India. It was also their first title under coach Gyotoku Koji.

Sujal dedicated the winner to his mother and nephew. “Right now, I am out of this world. I want to dedicate this goal to my mother and nephew. This is just the beginning. Now we have to keep our eyes in the Saff Championship,” said the goal scorer.

With heavy rain prior to the match making life difficult for both the teams due to a water logged pitch, it was Nepal who completely dominated the proceedings. Macau rarely threatened Nepal’s goal as a 65th minute freekick was their only notable attack on Nepal’s frame with custodian Kiran Chemjong easily negotiating the threat.

Bharat Khawas created the first chance for Nepal when he penetrated the Macau defence in the 14th minute and fired towards the goal only to see the ball glide away from the goal line. Anjan Bista then produced a shot of the day firing a missile from outside the area but the powerful shot was perfectly punched away by Macau goalkeeper Ho Man Fai.

A minute later, Tribuvan Army Club forward Khawas managed to go past Macau defender before cutting back a high ball to an unmarked Sujal who perfectly placed the ball between Fai and a defender standing in the goal line.

Another Army recruit Nawayug Shrestha was close to doubling the Nepal’s lead in the 33rd minute but he refrained from offering any shot in a one-versus-one with Fai before being dispossessed by defenders.

While Macau were struggling to plot any attack against Nepal, their opponents had no trouble creating chances only for the soggy pitch to deny them. Two minutes after the resumption, Bikram Lama’s header on a cross from Bimal Gharti Magar went just above the bar, while in the 76th the latter’s freekick found the side netting.

Nepal coach Koji was excited enough to return with the trophy. “I am very happy to be champion. Our boys played really well. But still I am not happy with their performance,” said Koji adding: “Today the team played well despite the soggy pitch. Defense-wise we played better as the match was too physical.”

Meanwhile, the Youth and Sports Minister Daljit Shripali has announced a cash prize of Rs 300,000 to each member of the national team. Any detail of the reward is yet to be disclosed. The triumphant Nepali returns home on Wednesday night.