Sports
Tajikistan dent Nepal’s hopes
Nepal’s hopes of Qualifying for the 2019 Asian Cup finals hit a snag after a 2-1 defeat against Tajikistan here at the Anfa Complex in Satdobato on Tuesday.Prajwal Oli
Nepal’s hopes of Qualifying for the 2019 Asian Cup finals hit a snag after a 2-1 defeat against Tajikistan here at the Anfa Complex in Satdobato on Tuesday.
Dzhalilov Manucher and Vasiev Dilshod scored for the visitors while Bimal Gharti Magar pulled one back for the home team during their Group ‘F’ qualifying match. The result condemns Nepal to the bottom of the four-team pool with just one point from three matches. In their previous two matches, Nepal had lost 4-0 to the Philippines on March 28 before settling for a goalless draw at home against Yemen on June 13.
Only top two teams from each of the six pools qualify for the finals to be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Defending champions Australia, China, Iraq, Iran, Japan, South Korea, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Thailand and Uzbekistan are directly drawn into the final courtesy their top-rankings along with the hosts the UAE.
Tajikistan took the vice-like grip on the game after scoring twice in the first half. The visitors made the breakthrough in the 25th minute through Manucher befoer Dilshod doubled their advantage four minutes later. Substitute Bimal Gharti Magar cut the deficit in the 61st minute but that was as close as the hosts came.
“We adopted an offensive approach leaving defensive line fragile and our opponents made the most of the opportunity. We were not expecting Tajiks to be such a technically sound team,” said Nepal coach Gyotoku Koji through interpreter. Nepal made three substitution after conceding the goals, replacing strikers Nawayug Shrestha and Bharat Khawas with Gharti Magar and Bikram Lama. Koju refused to cleary comment on Nepal’s qualification hopes, saying: “At the moment we cannot say if we are still in contention. Rather than settign target, we should focus on improvement,” added the Japanese national.
Nepal custodian Kiran Kumar Limbu was kept busy from the onset. Limbu was forced to make a save early in the seventh minute when Tajik skipper Vasiev Dilshod shot from a distance. Two minutes later the Nepali goalkeeper was again called into action to deny a love drive from Aliev Jahongir.
Nepal’s only chance came in the 20th minute when Anjan Bista supplied a defense splitting pass at the area but the visiting goalkeeper Mahkamov Abduaziz intecepted it even before Sujal Shrestha could apply the finishing touch. Five minutes later, however, Dzhalilov put the Tajiks ahead, tapping in a rebound that came off Limbu after an initial Ergashev Davronjon headed attempt.
The home team were shelled shocked when Vasiev double their lead five minutes later. Vasiev was in right place to poke in for goal after Nepal custodian Limbu fumbled at attempt from Aliev Jahongir. Nepal applied a bit more pressure after bringing in Gharti Magar for Nawayug in the 39th minute. The pressure finally told and Gharti Magar caplitalised on a pass from Anjan Bista to score in the 61st minute.
Tajikistan squandered a golden chance to restore two goal cushion in the 69th minute when Dzhalilov fired wide from close range with only goalie Limbu as his obstacle.
Tajikistan coach Khakim Fuzaylov said: “It was a difficult match as all the teams except for Philippines are equally competent. But we got what we came for: all three points.” Tajikistan coach also rued the missed chances, saying: “We had to play under pressure after conceding a goal in the second half.
George Prince Karki earned his first international cap from the game, coming in for Bishal Rai in the 63rd minute. Nepal will take on the same opponent in their away match on October 10 at the Hisor Central Stadium.