Kathmandu, October 9:

Nepal lost 2-0 to Oman in the first leg match of the 2010 World Cup qualifiers at the Sultan in Mascot on Monday night.

The return leg is scheduled for October 28 at the Dasharath Stadium in Kathmandu.

Goalkeeper Ritesh Thapa and defender Sanjeev Budhathoki were outstanding, while the

overall performance of the Nepali team was praiseworthy — compared to the previous meetings where Nepal had faced humiliating defeats at the hands of Oman. The best results came in 1994 and 1997 when Nepal lost 1-0 and 2-1 in 1996.

Oman took an early lead in the fifth minute when Fawzi Bait headed home following a corner.

Oman doubled the lead in the 22nd minute when AL Bheillai converted the spot kick, which the home team earned after Nepal goalkeeper Ritesh Thapa appeared to have fowled a Oman striker inside the box.

Nepal played defensively the whole match with a view to concede fewer goals. The target was to stop Oman to a draw. Nepal almost reduced the margin in the 52nd minute, but Nirajan Rayamajhi’s 25-yarder powerful drive went inches above the cross bar.

Rayamajhi’s effort was the lone major attack launched from the Nepali side, while the Nepali defence line remained quite busy during the match. Oman players found it difficult to pierce through Sanjeev Budhathoki, while goalkeeper Ritesh Thapa stood like a wall at the post.

SQUAD: Rakesh Shrestha (Captain), Ritesh Thapa (Goalkeeper), Anjan

KC, Sanjeev Budhathoki, Sagar Thapa, Lok Bandhu Gurung, Pradeep Maharjan, Ju Manu Rai, Tashi Tsering (Rajesh Shahi 34’), Anil Gurung (Bishwo Bairag Samal 80’), Nirajan Rayamajhi (Nabin Neupane 85’).