SAG 2019: Nepal beat Maldives 2-1; climb on top of scoreboard

KATHMANDU: Nepal have defeated the Maldives in the South Asian Games' football match held at the Dashrath Stadium in Kathmandu today.

A Nepali team player chases the ball during the football match between Nepal and the Maldives, under the 13th South Asian Games (SAG), at Dashrath Stadium, in Kathmandu, on Saturday, December 7, 2019. Photo: RSS
A Nepali team player chases the ball during the football match between Nepal and the Maldives, under the 13th South Asian Games (SAG), at Dashrath Stadium, in Kathmandu, on Saturday, December 7, 2019. Photo: RSS

Maldives had taken a lead early in the game thanks to Ibrahim Hussain's goal in the 17th minute. However, Nepal took the game to a draw before the end of the first half with Abhishek Rijal's goal in the 43rd minute.

Anant Tamang scored a goal in the 51st minute giving Nepal a lead. Neither team could net the ball after Tamang's goal.

With this win, Nepal have taken the top spot replacing Bhutan in the score table with seven points from three games. Nepal will now face Bangladesh for its final game in the league.

A Nepali team player chases the ball during the football match between Nepal and the Maldives, under the 13th South Asian Games (SAG), at Dashrath Stadium, in Kathmandu, on Saturday, December 7, 2019. Photo: RSS
A Nepali team player chases the ball during the football match between Nepal and the Maldives, under the 13th South Asian Games (SAG), at Dashrath Stadium, in Kathmandu, on Saturday, December 7, 2019. Photo: RSS