KATHMANDU: Nepal faced a heavy 5-0 loss at hands of India in the opening match of the SAFF U-15 Championship at the Kalyani Stadium, West Bengal on Wednesday.

Two-time champions India took an early lead when Maheson Singh sneaked in from the left and found the top corner with a powerful shot in fifth minute. Bibiano Fernandes’ boys made it 3-0 at half time after Shubho Paul and Anish Mazumder added one each.

Nepal could not stop the home side from adding two more goals in the second half. Taison Singh (49’) and Sridarth Nongmeikapam (56’) completed the scoring for the hosts.

In another match, Sri Lanka edged past Bhutan 3-2.

Nepal will next play against Sri Lanka on Friday, while India takes on Bhutan two days later.