Nepal defeated Maldives 2-0 in the Saff U-18 Championship football tournament at the Changlimithang Stadium in Thimpu, Bhutan on Friday. The win was first for Nepal after crashing to a shock 1-0 defeat to hosts Bhutan in their tournament opener.

Nepal are currently at the third spot of the five-team round robin league tournament with three points. Bangladesh, who had beaten India and Maldives, are tied on six points from two consecutive victories with Bhutan but lead the table on goal difference. Winless Maldives, who suffered their third consecutive defeat, are out of title contention.

Nepal went ahead in the game with an early seventh minute goal from Roman Limbu after the defender took full advantage of communication lapse between Maldivian defenders and goalkeeper. Nepal continued to dominate the game and went 2-0 up with Rajin Subba heading home in the 57th minute.

The win margin could have been even bigger for Nepal had Abhishek Rijal not hit the bar in a penalty, awarded in the dying moments of the game.

Nepal created numerous goal scoring chances in the game but failed to add to their tally. “We wanted to score more goals and in the rush our boys wasted other chances that came our way,” Nepal coach Chhiring Lopsang Gurung told the Bhutanese FA.

Nepal will now meet leaders Bangladesh in their next match on Sunday where only a win can keep them alive in contention for title. (PR)