Sports
Nepal finish runners up
Nepal finished runners up in the SAFF U-18 Women’s Championship going narrowly 1-0 down to Bangladesh in the final at the Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu, Bhutan on Sunday.Nepal finished runners up in the SAFF U-18 Women’s Championship going narrowly 1-0 down to Bangladesh in the final at the Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu, Bhutan on Sunday.
A lone goal in the early second half was sufficient for Bangladesh to register second victory over Nepal in the tournament who have earlier registered a 2-1 win in the group stage match on Tuesday.
Both the sides started with offensive style of play but Nepal’s poor coordination and lack of finishing in the final cost them the title. Though Nepal played frequently at the opponents’ area in the early periods, they never produced real threat at Bangladesh post before the interval. Unlike Nepal, Bangladesh came closest to scoring as early as in the seventh minute when Srimoti Krishnarani Shirkar chipped above bar from the box in one-on-one situation with Nepal’s goalie Anjana Rana Magar.
There were no remarkable moves from either side in the remaining first half. Bangladesh broke the deadlock four minutes after the resumption. Masura Parvin cleverly headed Mossamat Akhi Khatun 40-yard freekick from the zone as the ball changed the course stunning goalie Rana Magar.
Nepal came closer to equalising two minutes later when Rekha Paudel’s acrobatic shot from the crowded zone landed on the upright. Bangladesh threatened Nepal’s post in the 61st minute forcing Nepal’s goalie for a long stretch dive to deny Mossamat Mishrat Jahan Moushun with long range strike.
Bangladesh custodian Rurna Chakma spoiled Nepal’s push for equaliser in the 70th minute when she caught Bimala BK’s header from the crowded zone in a Manjali Kumari Yonjan corner. Two minutes later Rekha Paudel’s scorcher from zone in a lone effort sailed above bar.
Nepal, studded with three national players including goalkeeper Rana Magar and midfielders Saru Limbu and Manjali Kumari Yonjan, had defeated pre-tournament favourites India on penalties in the semi-final following 1-1 draw in the regulation and extra time.
Having visiting Bhutan in a space of nearly two-month training under coach Hari Om Shrestha, Nepal had set their sights on title.
Nepal had registered a thumping 12-0 victory over Pakistan before losing to Bangladesh to progress into semi-final as Group ‘B’ runners up. The Group ‘A’ consisted of host Bhutan, India and Maldives. India and Bhutan had progressed into next rounds as the winners and runner up.