Nepal signed off the AFC U-16 Women’s Championship Qualifier with a thrilling 4-4 draw against Malaysia, while Myanmar top the group after a 5-1 rout of Philippines on Sunday.

After the final round matches of the Group ‘E’ at the APF Grounds in Halchowk, Myanmar top the standings with maximum nine points from three games while Philippines finished in second with six points. Only the winners of six qualifying groups and two best runners-up will qualify for the second rounds of the Qualifier. Philippines now wait to see if they earn one of the two berths.

Top four teams from the eight-team second round of Qualifier will join the top three finishers of last edition—North Korea, South Korea, Japan along with hosts Thailand—in the Finals next year. Nepal and Malaysia, already out from the contention of next rounds, finished with a point each after Sunday’s draw. Nepal ended up in bottom as they conceded more goals than Malaysia. Before Sunday, Nepal lost 4-0 to Philippines and 11-1 to Myanmar. Malaysia lost 3-0 to Myanmar and 1-0 to Philippines.

In the early match of the day, ZM Htwe and SM Aung both struck braces while skipper MN Khin added the another goal for Myanmar. Myanmar opened the scoring in the 15th minute through Htwe and skipper Khin doubled their tally five minutes later. They went to break with 3-0 lead after Aung netted in the first half stoppage time. Myanmar added the fourth two minutes after the restart before Mikaela Villacin pulled one back for Philippines in the 62nd minute. Anug sealed the comprehensive Myanmar win adding the fifth in the dying moments of the game.

In the second match, Malaysia took the 25th minute lead through penalty. Pushpa Gurung brought down Nurul Nabila inside the area and Emily Hellma step in to convert the spot kick. Forward Sabita Rana Magar levelled the scores for Nepal six minutes later in show of individual skill, taking the ball from the midfield before slamming past the helpless Malaysian goalkeeper Nur Aisyah Ruslani.

Nurul made it 2-1 for Malaysia in the 39th capitalising a fumble by Nepali custodian Sabitri Kisan. But Nepal were back on level terms in the 45th minute as Waitie Taming scored an own goal. Nepal went 3-2 up in the 57th as skipper Preeti Rai converted a penalty after Nurul handed the ball inside the are. Malaysia equalised in the 68th again through Nurul and the visitors restored their one goal cushion in the 78th when Emily scored with a brilliant strike from 25 yard. Nepal finally levelled yet again in the 85th as substitute Sushma Tamang headed in Sabita Rana Magar corner kick.

Nepal coach Ganga Gurung was satisfied over the team’s overall run despite her side scoring just five and conceding 19 goals in three matches.

Points Table

Team    P    W    D    L    GF    GA    Pts

Myanmar    3    3    0    0    19    2    9

Philippines    3    2    0    1    6    5    6

Malaysia    3    0    1    2    4    8    1

Nepal    3    0    1    2    5    19    1