Nepal crashed out of the AFC U-15 Championship football tournament with a demoralising 4-0 defeat against Pakistan in the semi-finals on Thursday.

The defeat meant Nepal still awaits the elusive title in five attempts. This was the third time that Nepal has bowed out of the last-four stages of the tournament apart from losing twice to India in the final. Ten-man Nepal conceded all the goals after the break. Nepal defender Jaan Limbu had a forgettable match as he conceded an own goal to help Pakistan open the floodgates in the 54th minute.

Limbu made another costly error four minutes later conceding a penalty for which he was sent off denting any prospect of home team’s comeback. Pakistan dully converted the spot kick to make it 2-0. Mohib Ullah converted both the spot kicks for Pakistan before Moin Ahmed sealed the victory with the fourth goal. Pakistan will play Bangladesh, who beat India in the early semi-final match, in the title showdown on Saturday.

Pakistan dominated the ball possession in early exchanges but failed to muster any single real chance in the first half. It was, in fact, Nepal who came closer to scoring in the 26th minute only for Managya Nakarmi to shoot the ball straight into the grateful hands of Pakistan custodian Muhammad Awais.    

Nakarmi kept Nepal in the match with a goalline clearance to deny a headed attempt from Pakistan skipper Haseeb Ahmed Khan in the 5st minute. Pakistan kept pressure and was finally rewarded with a goal three minutes later. Limbu, who had scored a goal against both Bangladesh and Maldives in the group stage, inadvertently sent the ball into his own in an attempt to clear Iftikhar Ahmed’s cross.

Limbu was against at a fault in Pakistan’s second goal as he brought down midfielder Osama inside the zone prompting Bhutanese referee Pema Tshewang to point towards the spot. To add to Nepal’s misery he was got the marching order. Ullah converted the resulting penalty. “The first goal changed the complexion of the game and the dismissal of Limbu only compounded our misery,” Nepal coach Sanoj Shrestha said. Shrestha said the superior physical built of their opponent also made the difference.

Pakistan added the third goal in the 69th minute, again through penalty when forward Iftikhar Ahmed was tripped inside the area by defender Rojit Pariyar. Ullah converted it before Moin Ahmed sealed the resounding win when he headed in Asif Ali cross in the 77th minute. Despite winning by such a big margin win Pakistan coach Roberto Portella said it was a tough encounter. “Nepal played well in the first half but after the first goal it became easier for us,” said the Portella. “The final scoreline is deceptive.”

In the day’s first semi-final match, Bangladesh scored a stoppage time equaliser against India to send the game straight to tiebreaker after a 1-1 draw in 90 minutes. Bangladesh won 4-2 in penalty shootout. India had taken 17th minute lead through Patre Harsh Shailesh before substitute Md Ashikur Rahman levelled the scores five-minute into the stoppage time. The final will be played on Saturday.