KATHMANDU, Feb 13: Nawayug Shrestha scored another hat-trick as Nepal defeated the Maldives 4-3 in extra time of the semifinals to reach the final of the South Asian Games men’s football at the Nehru Stadium in Guwahati, India on Saturday.
Shrestha scored for Nepal in 36th, 120th and injury time in second half of the extra time securing the final spot in the regional tournament after 17 years. Nepal had reached the final of the tournament in 1999. Nepal will play against India in the final of the tournament on Monday.
Men's Football: Nepal beats Maldives 2-1(with photos)
Nepal took the lead in 15th minute with goal from Anjan Bista. Shrestha doubled the tally in 36th minute of the match.
Maldives bounced back in 52nd minute with goal from Mohamad Hamza. Ahmed Nashid scored another goal from the island nation in 85th minute pushing the match to extra time.
Hasan Naiz scored for Maldives in 115th minute to took 3-2 lead. Five minutes later, Shrestha scored for Nepal and added another in injury time to secure 4-3 win against the Maldives.
