Nepal beat B'desh 2-0 to book a place in SAFF semis

KATHMANDU: Nepal beat Bangladesh 2-0 in the final match of SAFF Cup group stage in Bangabandhu National Stadium, Dhaka on Saturday to book a place in the cup semi-final.

The first goal of the match from Midfielder Bimal Gharti Magar in the 33rd minute took Nepal on the recovery road in the tournament. Moreover, the final slam from Nepal came in the dying embers of match at 90' minutes with a goal from substitute Nawayug Shrestha.

With both sides missing chances, the hosts went down by a narrow margin of double goal difference to Nepal despite tallying equal on points with the latter.

Nepal showed an exceptional defensive prowess to hold off the hosts while the latter tried their best to recover from a goalie howler which gave Nepal a lead in the first half.

In the final minutes of the match, Bangladesh who were one goal down took on an attacking stance and with their back exposed Nawayug slid in and killed the match, taking Nepal to the semifinal.

With this win Nepal top the Group followed by Pakistan who beat Nepal 2-1 in the cup opener match, earlier.