Nepal, Laos play 1-1 draw

Nepal drew their first leg FIFA World Cup Qualifiers first round match against Laos at Dasharath Stadium on Thursday.

Both sides scored a goal each to leave the tie evenly matched for the second round on October 17 in Laos.

Bounphachan Bounkong gave Laos the lead in the 33rd minute before Anjan Bista headed the equalizer in the 49th minute.

Bista's goal also saw him level with Hari Khadka and Nirajan Rayamajhi as Nepal's highest international goalscorer. The trio are tied on 13 goals each.

Utsav Rai debuted for the national team when he was brought in for the second half of the match.