In the dramatic match played under the floodlights, Nepal valiantly came from behind to level score 2-2 at the interval after going down 2-0 within the first ten minutes. Skipper Khawas set magical passes in Nepal´s both goals which came from Anil Ojha and Sujal Shreshtha. [break]
´Khawas should be credited for both the goals," Nepal´s coach Krishna Thapa who was full of praise for his side said during the post match conference. "Very few players come up with the level of effort that Khawas put in today."
Uzbekistan player (White) controls ball. (Photo: Keshab Thoker)
But Nepal again conceded two more goals in the second half which became sufficient for visiting side to register convincing victory and the silent noisy home supporters. In fact, the poor show of Nepali goalkeeper Bishal Shrestha, substituted in the 89th minute, and lack of coordination among Nepali defenders was one of the major causes for Nepal´s defeat.
Following the second defeat in a row, Nepal with three points from three matches has virtually crashed out from the tournament. However, Nepal still has mathematical chance of making it to next stage. Jordan and Uzbekistan with six points each from two matches occupy first and second spots. Yemen and Nepal with three points are in third and fourth spots while Bangladesh lies at the bottom of the table.
Anil Ojha scored in the 35th minute for homeside cutting the goal deficit 2-1. Ojha unleashed a superb one touch strike from the six yard box in a brilliant cross by skipper Khawas who stole the ball from Uzbek defender before setting it to Ojha.
Sujal Shrestha tapped in from the close range leveling the score 2-2 in the 42nd minute in a skillful cross of Khawas who dribbled past three defenders before setting it to Shrestha.
Midfielder Jagjeet Shrestha wasted a couple of scoring opportunities for the home team in second half. In the 75th minute, Jagjeet and Sujal both failed to connect a cross supplied by defender Rabin Shrestha. Two minutes later Jagjeet was slow to charge the ball towards post which allowed the opposition to seize the ball.
Earlier, Uzbekistan had opened scoring in the seventh minute when midfielder Gadoev Shohruh´s 30-yard freekick hit the back of the net, deflected off the post. Three minutes later, Azamov Rustam made it 2-0 with a header from the six-yard box from corner taken by Mirzayev Sardor. Home side´s goalie Bishal Shrestha was helpless to stop the ball which was well within his reach.
Committing another mistake, Shrestha allowed Shohruh´a feeble strike from the area to slip beneath his arms. Uzbeks sealed the victory four minutes from time in counter attack through Temurkhuja.
"Players lost their willpower after conceding the third goal due to goalie´s mistake," Nepal´s coach Krishna Thapa said. Thapa however, lauded his team´s performance and the efforts of the players. He also defended goalie´s performance saying that Shrestha was good goalkeeper but failed to performance upto his standard.
"We were not dominated by one of the best team of Asia despite losing 4-2 and also the ball possession was 50/50." Thapa said adding; "Now we have only a slim chance of making it to next stage."
Meanwhile, Uzbekistan coach Evstafeev Aleksey termed the victory a tough one. "Nepal played well organized match today and we conceded both of the goals due to defending error.
Nepal will take on Jordan on Friday in its last match of the group while Yemen will lock horn against Uzbekistan.
Jordan Beats Bangladesh
In the day´s first match, Jordan registered its second successive victory defeating Bangladesh 3-0.
Bangladesh without a single victory from three matches is at the bottom of the tble without a single point. Forward Mahmoud Zatara netted twice for the winning team in either half. Zatara scored his first goal during the half hour mark and sealed the victory in the 75th minute through a flick header.
Earlier, skipper Khalil Zaid Kh Baniateyah had put the team in charge in the 23rd minute when he headed into an unattended goal.
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