Nepal end Asian Cup Qualifiers with defeat

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, April.1: Nepal concluded their AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers with a 1-0 defeat to Laos in Vientiane on Tuesday.

In their final Group F fixture at the Lao National Stadium, Nepal conceded in the 48th minute when Laos captain Bounphachan Bounkong chipped past goalkeeper Kiran Kumar Limbu.

The result left Nepal bottom of the group in fourth place. Vietnam topped the standings with 18 points to secure qualification, while Malaysia finished second on nine points and Laos ended third with six. 

Nepal were unable to give their new head coach, Guglielmo Arena, a winning start.

The match marked Arena’s debut in charge of the national side. 

Bounphachan missed a golden chance in the 11th minute, firing straight at Limbu in a one-on-one. Laos dominated possession but failed to convert early pressure, with Phetdavanh Somsanid heading wide and Bounphachan twice off target. Chony Wenpaserth came closest before the break, his thunderous strike from 18 yards rattling the underside of the crossbar before Limbu saved his follow-up header.

Nepal’s best opportunity arrived five minutes before half-time when Gillespye Jung Karki broke through three defenders but shot wide. He missed again moments later from outside the box.

Three minutes into the second half, Bounphachan finally made the breakthrough, evading Nepal’s defence and lifting the ball over Limbu from close range.

Nepal pressed for an equaliser, but efforts from Abishek Limbu and Karki failed to trouble goalkeeper Keo Oudone, as Laos closed their campaign on a high.