Colombo, August 24 :

Nepali footballers displayed their another dismal show and lost in the semi-finals against defending champions Pakistan 1-2 here today.

Nepal took a lead in the 43rd minute through Jumanu Rai when the Nepal Police striker headed home on Anjan KC’s perfect pass inside the penalty area.

The match was levelled at 1-1 in the 55th minute through an own goal from Anjan KC, who misconnected the high ball.

Pakistani skipper Essa Khan scored the winner in the 108th minute.

Skipper Thapa said that the players failed to perform as in the previous match. Pakistan, who beat Bhutan 4-0 to enter the semis.

Nepal’s bad luck began even before the whistle when the organisers played the old national anthem (Sriman Gambhir Nepali...) instead of the new one sanctioned by the National Sports Council (Mero Desh Jasai Ma Samjhanchhu...). The organisers did not even felt the necessity of amending the mistake despite protests from fans and media.

NSC member secretary Jeevan Ram Shrestha protested the incident and said that he would file an official complain tomorrow.