KATHMANDU: Nepal’s hope to advance to the last four received a jolt, with the side losing to India 0-1 in its second group match in the ongoing sixth South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) championship played at the Bangabandhu Stadium in Dhaka Monday evening.

Balwant Singh of India scored the only goal in the 18th minute of the first half of the match. His powerfully struck free kick was stopped by Nepali goal keeper but rebounded into the net, much to the dismay of some handful of Nepali supporters present in the stadium.

Nepal created a number of opportunities but failed to convert them into goals.

Nepal had fielded the same squad that played against the defending champions the Maldives on Saturday. The match had ended in a draw.