Chittagong, April 9:

Pradeep Maharjan scored twice and skipper Basanta Thapa added one as Nepal defeated India 3-0 and entered the semi-finals of the inaugural AFC Challenge Cup here at the MA Aziz Stadium today.

The win was Nepal’s only second in the South Asian neighbours’ 10 encounters. The first win of Nepal — 4-3 in tiebreaker — was also in Bangladesh in the sixth SAF Games in 1993 when Nepal clinched the gold medal.

Nepal dominated the play from the beginning and put continuous pressure over inexperienced Indian team scoring three goals inside 10 minutes. Pradeep, who scored twice in Nepal’s 2-0 over Bhutan and netted the equaliser in their 1-1 draw against Sri Lanka, put Nepal ahead in the 15th minute when he found a loose ball in the d-box on Vijay Gurung’s corner. Nepal earned the corner after India goalkeeper Arindam Bhattacharya saved Gurung’s attempt.

The Nabil Three Star Club midfielder doubled the tally in the 26th minute when he found the net from the six-yard box on Raju Tamang’s corner kick. Skipper Basanta Thapa made it 3-0 two minutes later following a one-two pass with fellow striker Surendra Tamang.

India created just one chance in the first half and goalkeeper Bikash Malla saved Vimal Pariyar’s attempt in the 29th minute.

Despite opting defensive strategy in the second half, Nepal created three opportunities. Surendra Tamang muffed up an easy chance in the 66th minute following a pass from Vijay Gurung, who dodged as many as four defenders before setting the ball for Surendra inside the six-yard box.

In the 72nd minute, Raju Tamang failed to convert on a cross from Nabin Neupane, who was playing his first match in the tournament. Skipper Basanta Thapa failed to convert an easy ball on a pass from Jumanu Rai, who replaced Surendra Tamang in the 78th minute. After the star striker shot over the bar, coach Shyam Thapa sent in Suman Subedi in his place and Nabin Neupane took the captaincy.

India came close in the 60th minute, but Nepal custodian Malla saved Vijay Kumar’s shot. Malla also denied Vijay Kumar in the second half injury time.

In semis, Nepal will play against Sri Lanka on April 12. Nepal coach Shyam Thapa was happy with his boys’ performance. “They played their natural game in the fourth match,” said ecstatic Thapa praising the players’ good work against India. “Our experience outplayed the youthful Indian team,” he added. India coach Islam Ukmadev blamed inexperience for the loss. “We lost the match in 10 minutes,” said the Uzbekistani national praising Nepali players.

Meanwhile, an injury-time goal by substitute Ruslan Djamshidov helped Kyrgyzstan knock out favourites Palestine and reach the semi-finals with a 1-0 victory at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Sunday.

Kyrgyzstan will take on winner of Monday’s quarter-final match between hosts Bangladesh and Tajikistan.