KATHMANDU: Nepal were knocked out of the AFC U-19 Championship with a 3-2 loss against nine-man Jordan in the Group A qualifiers here at the Dasharath Stadium today.

Nepal have three points with just one match to go while Jordan climbed atop the table with 10. Tajikistan have nine and Yemen eight, meaning the latter three will join the race for the two final berths from the group in their last match on November 1. In other matches, Kyrgyzstan beat Palestine 2-0 and Yemen put an end to Tajikistan’s winning streak with a 3-0 win at the Armed Police Force grounds in Halchowk.

Needing outright victory, the hosts squandered number of easy scoring chances with the score tied with 2-2 later in the game. Mahmoud Zarara, Suhib Wihaby and Mohammad Jamjoom scored for Jordan while Nirajan Malla and Shiva Shrestha replied for Nepal. Mohammad Jamjoom then capitalised on Nepali defensive lapse to score the decider in the 88th.

Earlier, Mahmoud Zarara gave Jordan the lead in the 25th minute scoring from six yards on a cross from Wihaby. Malla, however, pulled back the equaliser three minutes later. Malla brilliantly converted on Jagajeet Shrestha’s corner inside the area sliding on a ground-ball. It was Malla’s third goal of the tournament.

Jordan were reduced to 10 men in the 35th minute when Mohammad Zureigat sent off for a foul on Malla. Despite a man down, Jordan regained their lead two minutes later cashing on an error from goalkeeper Dinesh Thapa. Shiva Shrestha then produced a stunner in the 66th minute converting a powerfully struck volley. It was Shiva’s second goal in the qualifiers.

Jordan were down to nine men in 75th minute when Mustafa Saleh was ejected following his second bookable offense. Jordan never gave up and were eager to find the decider. They were lucky, however, as the home side missed several easy chances during the period. Nepali coach Raju Kaji Shakya said his team once again conceded goals on their own mistakes. “Our players repeated the mistakes and to compound they also missed a lot of chances,” added Shakya.

Earlier at the same venue, Shashiev Islam scored beating three Palestinian players in the 31st minute to give Kyrgyzstan the lead. Kyrgyzstan then sealed their first win in the qualifiers with the goal from Abdukaimov Urmat in 79th minute.

In Halchowk, Yemen registered a vital win ending Tajikistan’s excellent winning run. Yemen were ahead in the first half with a goal from Al Worafi Ahmed. Aiman Al Hagri then doubled their lead in the 83rd minute and a minute later Al Hubaishi Hassan sealed the comfortable win.