KATHMANDU, Oct 9: Iran routed Nepal 3-0 in the Group B qualifiers of the AFC U-16 Championship at the Dasharath Stadium on Friday while Tajikistan climbed on the top of the table with seven points after 3-0 victory over Lebanon in the first match of the day. [break]
The home team backed by local supporters, which made good start, conceded all the goals following errors of goalie Shamsher Thapa and the defending line up. Nepali team which came up with better performance in the first half failed to repeat the same in the second half of the match.
Nepal on the bottom of the table with no points after playing two matches now only has a mathematical chance of advancing in the final round.
An own goal from Nepali defender Man Bahadur Tamang in the 34th minute gave the lead to the visitors as the defender and goalkeeper lacked coordination. Tamang´s effort to clear the ball near the goal post off Hossein Natshai entered the net.
Substitute Hassanifar Mohammadreza doubled the lead in 57th minute to put Nepal under more pressure. Nepali goalie Thapa failed to control the ball fully and the ball rolled into the net.
Likewise, goalie Thapa who came to take offside outside box slipped while taking it and opponent player Afinehchi Amir Abbas who controlled the ball did not make any mistakes to send the ball past the net from about 35 yards.
Nepal which made about half dozen good moves in the match twice missed sure chances of scoring. Likewise, Iran made more than a dozen good moves in the match.
Nepali coach Dambar Gurung said that all goals were conceded due to the mistakes of the goalkeeper. He said, “Overall the players played well, we missed three solid chances of scoring.”
Iran coach Mohammadi Agri Akbar said that he was not satisfied with the match. He said, “We were lucky, we created lot of opportunities but could not finish well. Nepal showed good footballing.”
Tajikistan thrash Lebanon 3-0
Earlier, a brace from captain Rasulov Dilshod steered Tajikistan to 3-0 win over Lebanon to continue with their unbeaten streak.
Dilshod, who turned the hero of the match, opened the scoring utilizing a freekick from about 25 yards against the helpless custodian El Mahmoud.
Lebanon´s Mohammad Markabawi had a good chance to equalize in the first half, but he fell down following a tackle from the opponent player. He was shown yellow card after he demanded penalty against the tackle.
Lebanon´s custodian Mohamad Salem Mahmoud was bound to be substituted in the 39th following stomach pain. He was replaced by Ali Hallal.
Two minutes after the resumption of the second half, Tajik midfielder Sultonov Tolibjon volleyed over goalkeeper Ali Hallal to double the lead. Dilshod scored another goal in the 65th minute.
Lebanon got a penalty in the dying minutes of the second half as El Bayad was fouled inside the box by Tajik substitute player Bobokalonov Umar. But, Bayad missed the opportunity as his shot went wide.
Again they failed to score in the last moment of the match after Ali Saad´s magnificent header inside the box from Hussein Dor´s pass went above the bar.
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