Nepal thrash Sri Lanka for second win at SAFF U20

By A Staff Reporter, Kathmandu, July 28: Nepal continued with a winning momentum in SAFF U20 Championship following its 3-0 drubbing over Sri Lanka in Bhubaneshwar on Sunday.

Goals from Aayush Ghalan, Kritish Ratna Chhunju and Managya Nakarmi guided Nepal to a second consecutive victory. Nepal thumped the Maldives 4-0 in the inaugural match of the event on Monday.

Nepal topped the points table with six points. Bangladesh also earned six points after stunning defending champions India 2-1 in the first match of the day. Nepal, however, topped the table being better in goal margin. Bangladesh had defeated Sri Lanka 1-0 in its opener. 

Captain Ghalan put Nepal in front in the 59th minute by scoring the rebound ball. Sri Lankan goalie Shane Banuka punched away the cross off Abhishek Waiba and Ghalan did not make any mistake to send the ball straight into the post from the area. 

Chhunju doubled the advantage in the 65th minute. Chhunju send the ball provided by Ghalan from the box into the top corner of the Sri Lankan post.

Substitute Nakarmi, who replaced Sandip Karki, killed the match for Nepal in the 84th minute. He slotted the ball provided by Sugam Suwal into the post from inside the box. 

The first half ended in a goalless draw after Nepal could not find any goal despite producing a flurry of attacks at the opponent's post. 

India stunned 

Bangladesh showed its intent at the SAFF U20 Championship after beating defending champions India 2-1.

Pias Ahmmed Nova scored a brace in the first half to help Bangladesh beat India on the latter’s home soil. Nova put the visitors in front in the 29th minute. Gurkirat Singh restored the parity for India in 35 minutes.

Nova extended Bangladesh's lead in the stoppage time of the first half, which later decided the fate of the match as no goals were possible in the second half.