Super Sub Chaudhary steers Nepal to consolation win

By Prajeet Shakya,Bengaluru, June 28: Aashish Chaudhary came from the bench to score the winner as Nepal edged past Pakistan 1-0 on Tuesday to bow out from the Bangabandhu SAFF Championship 2023 with a consolation victory.  

Chaudhary scored the match-winner in the 80th minute at Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bengaluru. 

Laken Limbu cleverly fed the ball to Substitute Chaudhary and the winger shot the ball from the first bar into the adversary’s net. 

The first international goal of Chaudhary made all the difference in the dead-rubber match. Chaudhary found the goal in his fourth international cap. 

As Nepal and Pakistan crashed out from the championship, both teams were looking for a consolation victory in their last group stage match. 

Nepal’s Coach Vincenzo Alberto Annese fielded Awash Lamichhane as the first choice in place of injured striker Anjan Bista. Lamichhane, however, could not impress with his performance. The coach substituted Chaudhary for Lamichhane in the 46th minute. The 18-year Chaudhary proved the decision right by scoring the decider. 

Coach Vincenzo was all in praise of Chaudhary. “Chaudhary will have a long international football career. Anjan Bista has scored almost 50 per cent of goals during the last three years. I believe Chaudhary is a player of the same calibre. Nepali team needs a striker like Chaudhary.”  

Nepal achieved victory over Pakistan in the SAFF Championship after 15 years. The last victory Nepal achieved over Pakistan was during the 2008 edition of the championship held in the Maldives. 

With the victory, Nepal finished in third position in Group A standings with two defeats and one win. Nepal crashed out after losing to Kuwait and India.  

Pakistan returned home without scoring a single goal. Pakistan lost all its three matches and finished at the bottom. Pakistan losing streak continued to the 12th match. After defeating Bhutan in 2018, Pakistan has not won any match. After FIFA lifted the ban seventh months ago, Pakistan lost eight international matches in a row. 

Nepali players could not find their natural performance in the first half. Coach Vincenzo said Nepal took Pakistan lightly. “Despite this, Nepal got two clear opportunities to score but all in vain.”

Bimal Gharti Magar’s strike to Manish Dangi's cutback was blocked by Pakistan’s Keeper Yusuf Butt three minutes before the interval. 

Magar also missed finding the net from the free kick in the 12th minute with his wayward shot. 

After Coach Vincenzo changed his team’s formation from 4-2-3-1 to 4-4-2 and 4-3-3 after the interval, Nepal created more scoring opportunities.  

Debendra Tamang’s freekick hit the post in the 68th minute. Two minutes later, Arik Bista also squandered his shot with a woodwork. 

Laken Limbu and substitute strike Nawayug Shrestha also missed the goal from six yards in the stoppage time. 

Dangi failed to beat the Pakistani keeper in a one-to-one situation in the 61st minute.

Pakistan also went closer to goal in the 30th minute but Alamgir Ali’s shot was foiled by Nepali Captain and Keeper Kiran Limbu. 

Coach Vincenzo said Pakistan was a tough opponent. “Pakistani players are tall and physically sound. The team has players with foreign experience too. I hope Pakistan will come as a strong team in future.” 

Pakistan’s Coach Shahzad Anwar justified the poor result for his team being in a transitional phase. “Team has some experienced players too. But this is a new team. Besides we are also in the tough group. But we played well against Nepal. The tournament has given my players good exposure. I have taken this tournament as the preparation for the World Cup Qualifier.”