Jiyarath Sheikh assures Nepal's spot on SAFF U20 final

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Aug. 26: Host Nepal entered into the final of the 2nd SAFF U-20 Championship defeating Bhutan in the first semi-final match of the tournament at ANFA Complex, Lalitpur, on Sunday.

Nepal beat Bhutan in penalties as the official 90 minutes ended in a 1-1 draw. Nepal scored past four times consecutively while Nepali goalie Jiyarath Sheikh made two regular saves to make the tie-breaker favourable for the host. Nepal won 4-1 in penalties.

It was a turn of events for the travelling side as they lost the match where they were once in the lead. 

Bhutan´s No. 7 Jetsuen scored probably the best goal of the tournament so far in the 56th minute to lead first. Jetsuen scored a stunning volley leaving custodian Jiyarath with no chance.

However, Bhutan lost their composure allowing Nepal to equalise in the 78th minute. A lofted pass into the box from near the half was headed to the back of the net by Nirajan Dhami. It happened as Nepal started the set piece from the spot where Tenzin, Bhutan´s No. 10, was sent out after a second yellow for a foul.

Ram Thapa scored the first penalty for Nepal while Jetsuen took the first and converted for Bhutan.

But while Abhinash Syangtan scored the second, Namgyel´s shot was saved by Jiyarat. He also saved the next by Dorji after Semanta Thapa´s goal. It was Jiyarath who took the fourth penalty and won it for Nepal.

Nepal will face the winner between the second semi-final match between India and Bangladesh on Monday.