Nepal defeats India to reach semis of AFC Challenge Cup

April 9, 2006
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The Nepalese football team beat the Indian rookies to reach the semi finals of the AFC Challenge Cup 2006 at MA Aziz Stadium, Chittagong, Bangladesh today.

It was Pradeep Maharjan, suffering from knee-problem, who lit the hopes of the Nepalese team reaching the semifinals in an international tournament since the 1999 SAFF Championship in Goa, India. The win against India came after 13 years when they had defeated India in 1993 in the final of the SAF Games in Dhaka.

The match started in blistering pace with many attacks from the start. The Indian rookies were not good enough to handle the “Gorkhalis” and conceded a goal in the 15th minute. Pradeep Maharjan, who had scored twice against Bhutan and one against Sri Lanka, fired an excellent goal when Surendra Tamang’s shot on a Bijaya Gurung corner was half cleared by Indian defender N Pradeep.

Nepal’s relentless attacks paid off again when Maharjan doubled the advantage in the 26th minute after his shot on a Raju Tamang corner was deflected by an Indian defender and hit the left post before sailing into the net.

Skipper Basanta Thapa extended the goal tally two minutes later when his 20-yard-shot found the back of the net. Then, on the opposite end, Nepal’s promising goalie Bikash Malla denied Vimal Pariyar’s shot in the next minute.

In the second half, the play was the same with Nepal dominating. Nepal wasted as many as four clear goal scoring chances. Surendra Tamang almost scored in the 66th minute, squandering a beautiful chance on a cross from Bijaya Gurung; shooting wide. Raju Tamang missed another in the 83rd minute while Skipper Thapa couldn’t cash in the 84th minute.

Nepal coach Shyam Thapa was elated with aftermath saying, “My boys played a brilliant game in the first half that ensured an easy and comfortable win.” “There is still good football to come from our boys in the next match and hopefully, we can surprise anyone here in Bangladesh,” Thapa added.

India’s Uzbek coach Islam Akhmedov said his team collapsed within ten minutes of the game. “We conceded goals early into the match and it was all over,” he said.

Nepal will face Sri Lanka in the semi-final on April 12. nepalnews.com bt Apr 09 06