KATHMANDU, Oct 31: Nepal has begun the AFC U-19 Championship 2018 Qualifiers with a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Kyrgyzstan on Tuesday. Shukurov Alimardon scored one goal and set up another for Kyrgyzstan in comfortable win over visiting side Nepal in Group A match at Dolen Omurzakov Stadium, Bishkek. Home team took an early lead in the match with Borubaev Gulzhigit scoring an opener in the 21st minute. 

Gulzhigit received the through ball from Shukurov Alimardon in the danger zone and calmly slotted the ball into Nepal’s net from the danger zone. After Nepali defender Bishwas Udas failed to track Gulzhigit’s run to the box from right side, saw Kyrgyz winger making an easy right-footed finish.  

Kyrgyzstan then had to wait until the injury time to add the second goal. Alimardon who had assisted the first goal, netted wining side’s second goal in counter attack. 
After Kyrgyz midfielder Sharshenbekov Arlen charged a long ball from his own half, Nepali goalie Arpan Karki came out of the 18-yard and made a poor clearance which saw Alimardon collecting the ball and scoring a long-range goal from outside of box. Nepali goalkeeper Karki who also was captaining the side, was beaten by Alimardon. 
After the defeat, Nepali head coach Chhiring Lopsang said that his players couldn’t play up to their level. “Unfortunately we couldn’t show great football. We had a long travel that made players tired,” said Lopsang who had guided young Nepali team to SAFF U-18 Championship title a month earlier. 

Lopsang also insisted that his team was yet to adapt to the local climate, which eventually affected the performance. He also expressed his hope of doing well in the upcoming matches.  “The tournament is not over, and we are working to do well in our next match,” added Lopsang. Nepal will take on Bahrain in its second group match on Thursday. Nepali team which had chosen 3-5-2 playing formation, made positive start into the match dominating the possession in the first 20 minutes but could not create clear-cut scoring chances. 

However, after finding the first goal, Kyrgyzstan then started claiming the control in the match. In the second half as well, Nepal failed to unlock Kyrgyzstan’s defense which also had three central halves at back.   Kyrgyz head coach Nikolai Iuzhanin said that his players were worried of Nepal ahead of the match. “In the beginning, the players were worried but they were able to calm down and take control of the match,” said Iuzhanin. 
The home team head coach also insisted that his players didn’t allow Nepali players to create big chances. “We didn’t give Nepal the opportunity to create any serious impact. It is good that we started with a victory but we still have things to work on.” Iuzhanin said.
 

 
• nepal
 
• football
 
• u-19qualifiers