After going down 2-1 against South Asian rival Afghanistan, Nepal was in a must win situation to keep alive its dream of making it to the final round. In the first match, Tajikistan had blanked Bhutan 15-0 which was humiliated 14-0 by Afghanistan in the kick off match on Thursday. [break]
Along with host Nepal, South Asian neighbor also crashed out after completion of second rounds. The results put Afghanistan at the top of the table with six points, two ahead of second placed Tajikistan. Nepal lies at the third position with one point while Bhutan hits the bottom of table without any point.
The group champions will qualify for the next stage. All four teams have yet to play next match. Nepal will lock horns against Bhutan, and Tajikistan will meet Afghanistan during their last group stage match on Saturday.
"The defeat in first match turned out to be a setback for the team and we were under must win situation," Nepal´s coach Sunil Shrestha said during post match conference.
On Thursday, Tajikistan took 14th minute lead against the home team. Abdulloev Khurshed put the visitor ahead collecting custodian Sojit Gurung´s rebounder off penalty taken by Abduloev Shahrom. The penalty was awarded to Tajikistan after Nepal´s defender Laxman Pariyar handed the ball at the area.
Kshitiz Raj equalized for the home team in the 25th minute after his scorcher from the edge of area entered the net hitting the inner edge of the bar set by skipper Manish Bahadur Karki.
Earlier during the day´s kick off, skipper Abdul Naser Amini alone netted five goals in his side´s 14-0 drubbing over Bhutan. Omid Haidar Saneh netted twin goals while Amanullah Qazi, Sher Ahmad Hamedi, Murtazaa Qambari, Ahmade Mubasher Haidary, Elyas Amiri and Mujtabaa Rezaie were also on target for the winning team. Tandin Wangyel of Bhutan also scored an own goal.
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