Nepal made a flying start to their  SAFF U-15 Championship football tournament campaign with a 4-0 rout of Maldives at the ANFA Complex in Satdobato on Thursday.

Nepal took the match under control from the beginning and scored two goals either side of the break. Jaan Limbu, Namas Thapa Magar, Sashank Bohara and substitute Dipesh Rai were on target for the home team. The victory meant Nepal are now firm favourites to qualify for the semi-finals from Group ‘A’. Nepal will take on Bangladesh, the only other team in the pool, on Monday.

Nepal tested Maldvies goalkeeper Yoosuf Meesam Abdullah in the 19th minute forcing him to make a diving save and deny Rakesh Biswokarma strike from the right flank. Nepal, however, broke the deadlock in the 28th minute from the spot kick. Nepal earned the penalty after Maldives defender Nabuhan Mohamed tripped Biswokarma inside the zone. Limbu converted the resulting penalty.

The hosts doubled their advantage in the 38th through Thapa Magar, who combined with Sanam Gurung before finishing off the quick move with a goal. Maldives survived another scare in the first half injury time when a Limbu header sailed inches above bar. Sashank Bohara made it 3-0 in the 63rd with tap-in finish before substitute Dipesh Rai rubbed salts to the Maldives’ wounds with the fourth goal seven minutes later. Rai made a cool finish controlling a Biswokarma pass inside zone.

Despite the big win, Nepal coach Sanoj Shrestha still felt his side played well below their potential. “We were better in ball possession and created frequent chances, but we missed out on scoring more goals,” said Shrestha. Maldives were playing with a squad filled with players aged 13 to 14 years old. “We need to improve on our scoring in the next match,” said Shrestha.

Maldives coach Ibrahim Haleem said his players found it hard playing in a chilling Kathmandu weather. “Our players are accustomed of playing in hot conditions at this time of the year. Coming here they could not acclimatise properly with the local condition,” the coach said.

Earlier in the first match, Pakistan stunned India 2-1 in Group ‘B’. Adnan Justin opened the scoring for Pakistan in the 30th minute before Thlacheu Vanlalruatfela levelled the scores for India in the 53rd. Wasif ensured Pakistan finish the match with all three points as he netted the winning goal five minutes from time. Pakistan will take on Bhutan in Group ‘B’ match while Maldives will take on Bangladesh in their Group ‘A’ match on Saturday.