KATHMANDU, SEPTEMBER 25

Nepal defeated Maldives 4-1 and advanced to the semi-finals of the U-19 SAFF Championship here at the Dasharath Stadium today.

Samir Tamang scored a brace, while Prashant Laksam and Nirajan Dhami netted one each for the home team.

Adam Layaan Rasheed scored the consolation goal for the Maldives. In another match, India beat Bhutan 2-1.

After the day's results, Nepal finished as runners-up in Group A with three points, while Pakistan topped the group with four points. India finished as Group B winners with six points, while Bhutan were runners-up with three points. Nepal will face India in the semi-finals, while Bhutan will play against Pakistan.

Nepal opened the scoring in the 17th minute when Laksam found the back of the nets with a powerful strike from outside the box.

Tamang doubled the tally in the 30th minute following a pass from Dhami. Both teams were reduced to 10 men after Nepal's Sujan Dangol and Maldives skipper Mohamed Iyaan Hassan were expelled for their involvement in a scuffle.

Maldives reduced the deficit in the 58th minute when Rasheed found the back of the nets following a cross from Ahmed Zahaan Nazeer.

Dhami restored the twogoal cushion two minutes before the end after being fed by Laksam, while Tamang completed the scoring with his second goal of the match in the fourth minute of the injury time.

A version of this article appears in the print on September 26, 2023, of The Himalayan Times