KATHMANDU: Nepal lost their opening match of the Eighth SAFF Championship at the hands of Sri Lanka in Trivandrum on Wednesday. Mohammad Rifnas scored the solitary goal of the match in the first minute of the injury time as Sri Lanka extended their dominance over Nepal. Against the run of the play, Nepal conceded the goal due to the lapse of defence when Sri Lankan charged down in a counterattack. Nepal wasted hosts of goal-scoring opportunities as the strikers failed to find the back of the nets for the eleventh straight match. Nepal are scheduled to play Indian on Sunday.

Nepal are pitted in Group A along with India, and Sri Lanka. Pakistan, who were in the same group, pulled out from the tournament, making the 12-day tournament a seven-team affair, with Afghanistan, Maldives, Bangladesh and Bhutan featuring in Group B.

(Updated)

• -  Jagajeet Shrestha replaced midfielder Bikram Lama.
• - Nepal captain Anil Gurung was replaced by Nawayug Shrestha at 54th minute. Gurung handed over the armband to Biraj Maharjan before leaving the pitch.

• - Nepal changed their jerseys from red to blue in the second half as Sri Lanka wore maroon jerseys. Nepal decided to change the jerseys apparently to avoid confusion caused due to similar kit colours. ‪

(Updated) SAFF Suzuki Cup: Nepal, Sri Lanka goalless at half time KATHMANDU: The first half of the inaugural match of SAFF Suzuki Cup 2015 between Nepal and Sri Lanka remained goalless despite Nepal dominating the initial preceeding. Bimal Gharti Magar's well worked-out cross from the left was headed firmly by Rohit Chand, but the Sri Lankan custodian made a brilliant save and prevented Nepal from taking the lead at 10th minute. Nepali midfielders and forwards made some good moves and put Sri Lankans under pressure. They, however, failed to succeed in converting the efforts into goal. Sri Lanka's M.K.M Hakeem was booked for bringing Bimal Gharti Magar down at the 20th minute.

HT:Nepal 0-0 Sri Lanka Lankans had the better of the early exchanges but as Nepal settled down they have dominated possession #SAFFSuzukiCup

— SAFF Suzuki Cup (@SAFFSuzukiCup) December 23, 2015 Nepal, Sri Lanka playing inaugural match of SAFF Championship

KATHMANDU: Nepal and Sri Lanka are playing the inaugural match of the SAFF Championship in Trivandrum of the Indian state of Kerala on Wednesday evening.

Nepal are pitted in Group A along with India, and Sri Lanka.

Pakistan, who were in the same group, pulled out from the tournament, making the 12-day tournament a seven-team affair, with Afghanistan, Maldives, Bangladesh and Bhutan featuring in Group B.

Anil Gurung leads the Nepali squad. Nepal are at the 192nd position in FIFA ranking while Sri Lanka are two positions down at the 194th. Defending champions Afghanistan are at the 150th position, the Maldives at 160th the hosts India at 166th, Bangladesh at 182nd, Bhutan at 188th in the FIFA ranking. It is 11th appearance for both Nepal and Sri Lanka in the SAFF Championship. Nepal and Sri Lanka had won the Championship in 1993 and 1995 respectively. Nepal's Playing XI Goalkeeper: Kiran Chemjong Defenders: Ranjit Dhimal, Jitendra Karki, Aditya Chaudhary, Biraj Maharjan Midfielders: Rohit Chand, Heman Gurung, Bikram Lama Forwards: Anjan Bista, Anil Gurung, Bimal Gharti Magar Nepal Substitutes Bikash Kuthu (gk), Robin Shrestha (df), Ananta Tamang (df), Jagajeet Shrestha (mf), Bishal rai (mf), Yogesh Gurung (mf), Nawayug Shrestha (fw), Amrit Chaudhary (gk), Nabin Lama (mf) Sri Lanka Playing XI Sujan perera (gk) M.K.M. Hakeem (df) M. Chalana Chameera H.D.W. Hettiarachchi Sajith Kumara (mf) Danushka Wijeshiri R.A.A. Nalaka(c) L.H. Kavindu Ishan H.D. Madhusan De Silva Mohamed Rifnas Johar Mohamed Zarwan (fw) Sri Lanka Substitutes Ruwan Arunasiri (gk), Mohamed Izzadeen (fw), Asikur Rahuman (df), L.A.N.D. Bandara (mf), E.A.C. Sanjeewa (mf), Subash Madushan (df), Lakpriya Fernando (gk), Edison Figurado (mf) and S. Gnanaruban (mf)