Tashkent, November 6:

Nepal lost 2-0 against Jordan in the AFC Under-19 Championship qualifying football tournament here today.

Jordan cashed on their players’ physical strength to beat an otherwise a good performing Nepali side. Jordan scored a goal each in either halves. Jordan took the lead early in the third minute through penalty shot.

Amer Abuhati converted the spot kick following a foul by Laxman Ruchal inside the box. Mohammed Shishani doubled the lead later in the 51st minute with a powerful 18-yard strike that left Nepali goalkeeper Rupak Shrestha stranded in the line.

Nepal created few chances but could not capitalise on them. Jordan goalkeeper Salah Masad acrobatically punched away a strike from Ruchal in the fifth minute before Chetan Ghimire’s free kick from 20 yards went inches wide two minutes later.

Anil Ojha sustained a knee injury during the match but Nepali coach Raju Shakya was confident that Ojha would be fit for next game against Yamen on Thursday.

“I am happy with the performance,” said Shakya adding that they played under pressure after conceding an early goal. Shakya also said that the height and strength of Jordan players went against his side. Nepali skipper Bikash Singh Chhetri claimed that they played their natural games.

Meanwhile, the organisers said that Palestine opted out of the tournament. Palestine were pitted in Group D along with Nepal, Jordan, hosts Uzbekistan and Yamen. As per the new draw, Nepal will take on Yamen on Thursday before playing Uzbekistan two days later.