KATHMANDU: Jordan and Yemen reached the AFC Under 19 Championship finals after registering comfortable victories on the final day of the Group A qualifiers here today.

In the first match at the Dasharath Stadium, Jordan defeated Tajikistan 2-0 to qualify as the winner of the group with 13 points while Yemen defeated Kyrgyzstan 3-1 at the Armed Police Force Grounds in Halchowk to finish second with 11 points. Tajikistan needed victory to qualify but crashed out as they ended third with nine points.

Meanwhile, hosts Nepal finished fifth in the qualifiers after a

humiliating 4-1 loss against Palestine. With the win, Palestine made four points to finish fourth while Nepal and Kyrgyzstan had three points each. Nepal were better on head-to-head result as they had defeated Kyrgyzstan.

Jordan were a better side as

they dominated the match despite striking both goals in the second half. Hamza Aldaradreh capitalised on a cross from Suhib Wihaby to score almost from the goal

line in the 63rd minute. They doubled their lead six minutes later from Mahmoud Zarara who scored on a rebound from Wihaby that was blocked by Tajik goalie Saidrahmonov Saidjon.

Tajikistan were outplayed

by Jordan’s excellence in the field

as they failed to create good

moves. In the 13th minute Khotam Shavkat shot an excellent

volley out from the area but Jordan goalkeeper Mustafa Mosameh got his hands to it.

Jordan coach Waleed Awad said his side played better and deserved a place in the finals.

In another deciding match in Halchowk, Yemen took the lead in the 45th minute with an own goal goal from Krygyzstan’s Ruslanbekov Abai. Yemen extended their lead in the 67th minute with a goal from Ashraf Ayesh Kowmi before Al Worafi Ahmed sealed the match in the 74th minute. Ivanov Igor replied in the 86th minute but it was too late for Kyrgyzstan to bounce back in the game.

At the Dasharath Stadium, the home team were facing comparatively weaker Palestine in their

last match but ended up suffering

a humiliating defeat as they

failed to maintain the lead they got in the 12th minute.

Rohit Chand scored a goal from the penalty which was awarded after Ibrahim Nasser brought down Sujal Shrestha inside the area. Ahmed Hamed scored from a close range to level the scores in the 25th minute taking advantage of misunderstanding between defenders and second choice goalkeeper Bishal Shrestha.

Six minutes later Palestine took the lead with a goal from Hamam Abuhasnein. Hamam was

able to score as the defenders once again lacked coordination. Palestine were awarded a penalty

in the 37th minute after Bishal

Rai brought down Rami Almasalma and Almasalma converted the spot kick himself.

Palestine completed the rout in the 63rd minute with Anas Sulaiman directing his header into the net. Nepal created some good chances but failed to score. Nepali coach Raju Kaji Shakya said his team underestimated Palestine and also squandered several scoring opportunities in the match.