KATHMANDU, SEPTEMBER 21
Nepal faced a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Pakistan, while India thrashed Bangladesh 3-0 in the opening day matches of the U-19 SAFF Championship here at the Dasharath Stadium today.
Pakistan put Nepal under pressure throughout the match but skipper and goalkeeper Jiyarat Shekh made series of brilliant saves to deny the visitors in the first half. But Shekh was deceived by a long-range shot from Ali Zafar in the 76th minute and that was enough for Pakistan to walk away with full three points.
After a goalless first half which saw the physically-strong Pakistani side making series of attacks on Nepali post, Zafar scored the solitary goal of the match with a powerful strike into the far post that left Nepal goalkeeper Shekh stranded.
The home team seemed weaker than their opponents in all areas and the hosts also failed to create goal-threatening moves.
Nepal's striker Samir Tamang shot over the bar in the 11th minute, while Muhammad Adeel wasted a chance for Pakistan three minutes later. Nepal goalkeeper Shekh made an acrobatic save to deny Shah Jahan's free kick in the 27th minute. Shekh then punched back Adeel's shot in the 33rd minute and Muhammad Haroon Zafar shot over the bar in rebound.Adeel came close to scoring in the 34th minute in a counter move but he shot agonizingly wide in one-onone situation with Shekh.The Nepali custodian also denied Shah Jahan in the 40th minute.
Pakistan also dominated the second half and they were also able to score a goal. Nepal will play against the Maldives in their second and final Group A match on September 25. Pakistan will take on Maldives on Saturday.
In Group B, India made a perfect start with a 3-0 victory over Bangladesh. Gwgwmsar Goyary opened the scoring in the first minute of the match, while Naoba Meitei Pangambam doubled the tally in the first half injury time. Arjun Singh Oinam sealed the victory with his team's third goal in the 90th minute. Bhutan are the third team in Group B.
A total of six teams are taking part in the 10-day championship. Top two teams from both the groups will advance to the semi-finals.
A version of this article appears in the print on September 22, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.
