KATHMANDU , Feb 24: Nepal U-21 football team has defeated India’s Manipur 3-1 in the ongoing Dr T AO North East International U-21 Gold Cup in Guwahati on Saturday.
Nepal that got its confidence high with an 8-0 win over Tripura in the second game was 2-0 ahead in the first half in this game.
At the Sai Stadium, Abhishek Rijal gave Nepal the lead in the 19th minute converting an Anil Maharjan’s pass.
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Rijal doubled Nepal’s lead in the 30th minute converting an Erik Bista pass.
But, Nepal could not continue its momentum in the second half playing defensive football. Sangpu replied a goal back for Manipur in the 54th minute.
Nepal got a chance to double its lead through the spot kick as Manipur keeper fouled Dhiraj Shrestha inside the box. Rijal completed his hat-trick and won the game for the team.
This is his second hat-trick of the tournament as he had scored four goals in the 8-0 win taking his tally to seven goals.
