Nepal crash out of SAFF U-20 Championship

  • 2022-08-02

Nepal crashed out of SAFF U-20 Championship after playing a 1-1 draw against Bangladesh and India defeating Maldives in Kalinga Stadium in Bhuwaneshwor, India, on Tuesday.

Nepal had to defeat Bangladesh and hope Maldives defeat India in the other group match but both the results went against them. Nepal could only manage a draw against Bangladesh and India defeated Maldives to end Nepal's hopes of reaching the final.

Bangladesh will now play India in the final on August 5.

The first half ended goalless with both sides guilty of missed chances.

It was a tense restart after the first half when players from both side squabbled in the 48th minute which resulted to referee showing three red cards. Bangladesh's Shahidul Islam was shown a second yellow card while referee also showed red to Nepal's Dipesh Gurung and Rohit Subba.

Piash Ahmmed Nova gave Bangladesh the lead in the 63rd minute levelled by Niranjan Malla six minutes later. Malla latched a powerful left-footed shot to equalize in the match.

Following the draw, Nepal's hopes of reaching the final now rested on Maldives defeating India. Maldives looked like they could hold the hosts for a goalless draw only for Gurkreet Singh to score in the 90th minute of the game.

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