Nepal held goalless, Bangladesh into semis

KATHMANDU, Aug 4: Host Nepal was held to a goalless draw by Bangladesh in its campaign opener of the SAFF U-16 Championship Football Tournament at the Dasharath Stadium in Kathmandu on Thursday.



With the result, Bangladesh that has played both of its group stage matches secured a semifinal berth from Group B with four points. Nepal´s fate will depend on the outcome of the second group match to be played against Sri Lanka on Saturday. [break]The Lankans were defeated 6-2 by Bangladesh in their first match on Tuesday.



A victory or draw against Sri Lanka, which has yet to open its account in the points table, could secure the home team a place in the last four of the tournament. Nepal has one point after the draw with Bangladesh.



Bangladesh was reduced to 10 men during the stoppage time of the match which turned tense after the interval. Bijoy Sarkar was sent off in the third minute of the added fourth minute after receiving his second yellow card of the match. He was first booked three minutes earlier. Along with Sarkar, Md Sabbir will also miss the upcoming match for Bangladesh as he was slapped with his second yellow card of the tournament.



Nepal dominated the game and kept the opponent under massive pressure throughout the match, but failed to find the back of the net despite frequent attempts. Bangladesh, on the other hand, failed to make a single attempt on goal.



Nepal had more than half-a-dozen attempts on goal, two of which hit the woodwork. In the 28th minute, Sanjay Rajbahak´s long free-kick rebounded off the pole only to be punched by goalie Akkash Shikh. In the 88th minute, skipper Heman Gurung´s hit a powerful strike from the arch of the danger area beating two defenders but his shot rebounded off the bar.



In the 34th minute, Bangladesh glovesman Shikh dived backward to deny Rishi Thapa Magar´s quick shot in an open net after he was already beaten by Bibek Basnet. In the 50th minute, Umesh Thapa´s strike from the right flank in the near post was saved by goalie Shikh, while Aditya Chaudhary hit high above the bar from close range.







Nepal´s coach Sunil Kumar Shrestha said it was unfortunate that his side had to satisfy itself with a goalless draw. "Two of our shots hit the woodwork, which was unfortunate," Shrestha said, adding, "The boys put up a fantastic show and dominated the whole 90 minutes."



Bangladesh assistant coach Totam Sukur Mohammad termed the draw against the home team as an achievement. "The boys gave a tough challenge to the home team and I am satisfied with the result," Mohammad said.

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