Nepal 2 defeated Banglades 2, 2-1 in the match played at the Dasharath Stadium. Earlier, Nepal 1 had played a goalless draw against Bangladesh 1 in the inaugural match played at the ANFA ground, Satdobato. In another match, Nepal 1 thrashed Sri Lanka 1, 5-0 at the Dasharath Stadium.[break]
Five South Asian countries including India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan and host Nepal have participated in the festival. However, the festival of football is not a competition for the title. The event which began in 2004 as competitive match, has been observed as festival after few editions.
The festival includes course for referees and coaches while training for physiotherapist has been added from the current edition.
According to ANFA President Ganesh Thapa, AFC has been giving continuity to the festival since last eight years analyzing it to be effective. "AFC had introduced this program for the development of grass root football. In the initial year, this event was competitive but later it was developed as festival," said Thapa who is also vice president of AFC.
According to Thapa the festival will be fruitful in producing technically sound manpower. "We could have sent only two referees and coaches if this event was conducted abroad. But we could include eight people as host. This will be beneficial for the development of footabll."
In festival, matches will be conducted under two formats. Half an hour match will be conducted in the first format while second format will feature an hour long match.
Each team consisting of 22-member playing squad is divided into two teams with 11 players each and there won´t be any substitution. The matches on Saturday were conducted on format 1. In other matches of the day, Bangladesh 2 defeated Bhutan 2, 3-0, Sri Lanka 1 saw off Bhutan 1, 5-0, India 1 and Bangladesh 1 played goalless draw. Similarly, India 2 defeated Bhutan 2 and Sri Lanka 2 with identical 2-0 score.
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