Nepal cruise into SAFF U20 final

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Feb. 8: Nepal cruised into the final of the SAFF U-20 Women's Football Championship after a 3-1 thrashing over India at BSSS Mostafa Kamal Stadium in Dhaka, Bangladesh on Tuesday.

Nepal came from one goal down to stun the South Asian football powerhouse in their third and last league match of the championship.

The win saw Nepal collect six points from two wins and confirmed its place in the top two of the league standings. The defeat sent India crashing out of the tourney. 

Despite securing the berth in the final, Nepal's Coach Yam Gurung was disappointed with his players for not giving their hundred per cent against India. 

"I am not happy with the performance of my players because they played just 60 per cent of their strength today. I hope they will give their full effort in the title battle.”

"Receiving a penalty is the turning point of the match", said Coach Gurung. Nepal will meet Bangladesh in the final. Bangladesh defeated Bhutan to top the league table remaining unbeaten.

The coach expressed his confidence in beating Bangladesh in the final. Nepal lost its first match of the championship against Host Bangladesh by 1-3. Nepal beat Bhutan by 4-0 in its second match in Dhaka.

"We know the Bangladeshi team very well. My players are better than the final opponent. I am focused on making my players play a team game like today. The success against India is our team performance and attacking game,” Gurung added.

Anjali Chand, Skipper Preeti Rai and Amisha Karki netted one goal apiece in the victory over India. Apurna Narzary scored a consolation goal for India.

Apurna put India ahead in the 20th minute but Nepal came back in the second half scoring all its three goals.

Chand restored the parity in the 48th minute. Skipper Rai scored the spot kick to give Nepal a 2-1 lead in the 69th minute. Karki sealed the match for Nepal in the dying minute of the match.