Kathmandu, March 22

Nepal defeated Laos 2-0 in the opening match of the Prime Minister Three Nations Cup Football Tournament here at the Dasharath Stadium today.

Defender Ananta Tamang and striker Nawayug Shrestha scored in either half as the home team earned full three points in the first match of the three-team tournament that also features Bhutan. Nepal head coach Vincenzo Alberto Annese from Italy got off to a winning start, while four players - Sanish Shrestha, Mani Lama, Sumit Shrestha and Deepak Raj Singh Thakuri - made national team debuts from the match.

Player-of-the-match Tamang opened the scoring for the home team in the 29th minute when he rose above for a glancing header on a corner from Arik Bista. Striker Shrestha doubled the tally in the 56th minute with a spectacular goal from 35 yards out. Shrestha controlled a loose ball and his long-range volley kissed the nets leaving Laos goalkeeper Xaysavath stranded.

Earlier, Pujan Uperkoti shot over the bar from the edge of the area in the 18th minute, while At Viengkham of Laos could not find the target from 25 yards out as the visitors failed to trouble Nepal skipper and goalkeeper Kiran Kumar Limbu in the first half.

Nepal defender Ananta Tamang made a goalline clearance in the 67th minute to deny Bounphachan Bounkong after custodian Limbu was already beaten.

Another defender Rohit Chand rescued the home team moments later when he cleared the ball with a header from six-yard box. Ayush Ghalan wasted a chance from six-yard box on a cross from Nawayug Shrestha in the 71st minute when he failed to beat Laos goalkeeper Xaysavath in one-on-one situation.

Nepal will face Bhutan on Tuesday. Laos and Bhutan will face each other on Saturday. After the league round, top two teams will advance to the final slated for March 31. The three league round matches are under FIFA Day and they have international friendly status. The winner of the tournament will receive $5,000, while the runners-up will earn $3,000. The best player of the tournament will get $500.

A version of this article appears in the print on March 23, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.