Guwahati, February 15

Nepal came back from a goal down to beat India 2-1 in the football tournament final of the 12th South Asian Games here at the Indira Gandhi Stadium today.

The regional games title is Nepal’s first in 23 years since the sixth SAF Games in Bangladesh in 1993. And this is the first title won by a Nepali football team after the South Asian Olympic Council made football a U-23 event in the regional games in 2004.

Prakash Budhathoki and Nawayug Shrestha scored a goal each in the second half after Holicharan Narzary put the home side ahead in the first half. Nepali football team, which has been dogged by match-fixing scandal and corruption charges against All Nepal Football Association President Ganesh Thapa, has claimed two titles in two months. Nepal had won the Bangabandhu Gold Cup in Dhaka last month to end their 23-year title drought. Nepal were playing their first final in 17 years since they were defeated 1-0 by Bangladesh in the gold medal match of the eighth SAF Games in Kathmandu in 1999.

Narzary earned a spot kick for India after Aditya Chaudhary brought him down inside the D-box and he converted the resulting penalty to put India 1-0 ahead in the 31st minute. After struggling to find the rhythm in the first half, Nepal made their first threatening move in the 59th minute but Prakash Budhathoki’s shot was collected by Indian goalkeeper TP Rehneesh.

Nepal levelled the scores in the 66th minute when Budhathoki converted a free kick from 30 yards into a sensational goal that left Indian custodian Rehneesh stranded. Nepal then struck twice on target in the 69th minute. Bimal Gharti Magar’s chip shot was blocked by India goalkeeper Rehneesh and Bishal Rai’s attempt in rebound was blocked by Indian defender. Nepal took the lead in the match when Nawayug Shrestha plunged into air to meet Budhathoki’s cross from the left and beat the Indian goalkeeper. Nepal shot stopper Bikesh Kuthu saved the team with a stunning save in the 74th minute and made another brilliant save in the injury time to preserve the lead.

Head coach Raju Kaji Shakya was in a different role this time around. He was the captain of the side that won gold in 1993, also beating India. Shakya also became the only member of the all three gold medal winning squads. He was a player in the 1983 SAF Games when Nepal won the first gold medal in Kathmandu and he skippered the 1993 side.

Judoka shines

SHILLONG: Phupu Lhamu Khatri became the first Nepali woman judoka to win a gold medal when she finished first in the below-63 kg weight category at the 12th South Asian Games here at the Jawaharlal Nehru Sports Complex on Monday. The 21-year-old Khatri from Lelep, Taplejung district, defeated four opponents in the round-robin competition, scoring Ippon decisions against three players. This is Nepal’s first gold medal in 21 years in judo since the 1995 Madras Games. (Detaols on Page 12)