Kathmandu, October 15

Nepal  faced a 14-1 defeat at the hands of Uzbekistan in the opening match  of the AFC Futsal Championship Qualification for South and Central Zone  in Tabriz, Iran today.

Rakhmatov  Dilshod scored three goals, while Uzbekistan skipper Artur Yunusov, Shavkatov  Dilmurod and Choriev Davroh netted two goals each. Similarly,  Abdumavlyanov Farkhod, Rakhmatov Anaskhon, Abdurakhmonov Davronjon and  Nishonov Khusniddin scored one goal each for Uzbekistan.

Saurabh Rakhal Magar of Nepal netted an own goal, while skipper Suraj Raut scored the consolation goal for the team. Nepal are in Group A along with Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan in the qualifiers.

They will take on Kyrgyzstan in their second match on Monday and face Turkmenistan the following day. Top two teams after the league round will qualify for the finals to be hosted by Chinese Taipei next year. Similarly, Group B comprised of Iran, Tajikistan and Afghanistan.