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Bikram Thapa in Dhaka
Nepal went down 0-1 in a thrilling match against India at the SAF Championship at the Bangbandhu Stadium here in Dhaka, Bangladesh on Monday.Nepal displayed an excellent game of football, but it seemed fortune was on India's side as the strongest team at the SAF emerged the winner at the end.The early free kick goal in 18th minute gave India a strong lead. Balwant Singh's powerful free kick from the edge of the box was marvelously blocked by goalie Bikash Malla, but he trampled down with the half cleared ball which hit the side bar and rolled onto the net.Nepal pressed hard after trailing 1-0 and substituted Bijaya Gurung with Yogesh Shrestha after the 26th minute to make its midfield line sharp.The Indians, on the other hand, were relying on a counter attack, but they couldn't create any breathtaking attempts.After the break, Nepalis players dominated the field and attacked relentlessly. Strikers Anil Gurung and Jumanu Rai had some goal scoring chances, but they were not lucky and couldn't hit the net.India, on its part, held their nerves and made a barricade of 11 men defense line to win the match.With the loss, Nepal is virtually out of the tournament.Indian, with six points, entered into the semis whereas Maldives has four points from two previous outings. If India beats Maldives and Nepal thrash Afghanistan by 4-0 goals, Nepal can still make it to the semi finals.Nepal had held the Maldives for a 1-1 draw in its first match, earning a point against the island nation for the first time.In another match, Maldives defeated Afghanistan 3-1 coming behind from a goal down.
Nepal went down 0-1 in a thrilling match against India at the SAF Championship at the Bangbandhu Stadium here in Dhaka, Bangladesh on Monday.Nepal displayed an excellent game of football, but it seemed fortune was on India's side as the strongest team at the SAF emerged the winner at the end.The early free kick goal in 18th minute gave India a strong lead. Balwant Singh's powerful free kick from the edge of the box was marvelously blocked by goalie Bikash Malla, but he trampled down with the half cleared ball which hit the side bar and rolled onto the net.Nepal pressed hard after trailing 1-0 and substituted Bijaya Gurung with Yogesh Shrestha after the 26th minute to make its midfield line sharp.The Indians, on the other hand, were relying on a counter attack, but they couldn't create any breathtaking attempts.After the break, Nepalis players dominated the field and attacked relentlessly. Strikers Anil Gurung and Jumanu Rai had some goal scoring chances, but they were not lucky and couldn't hit the net.India, on its part, held their nerves and made a barricade of 11 men defense line to win the match.With the loss, Nepal is virtually out of the tournament.Indian, with six points, entered into the semis whereas Maldives has four points from two previous outings. If India beats Maldives and Nepal thrash Afghanistan by 4-0 goals, Nepal can still make it to the semi finals.Nepal had held the Maldives for a 1-1 draw in its first match, earning a point against the island nation for the first time.In another match, Maldives defeated Afghanistan 3-1 coming behind from a goal down.
