KATHMANDU, Sept 10: Nepal national women football team will have to wait till the last group match to secure a place in the Nadezhda Cup final after it lost to Uzbekistan 2-0 on Monday. 

The Uzbeks, who have six points after winning both their matches, have reached the final and will face either Nepal or Tajikistan for the title.

Tajikistan who beat Kyrgyzstan 2-1 in another match on the same day is level on points on three with Nepal but has an inferior goal difference. With two defeats in two games Kyrgyzstan has crashed out of the tournament and is yet to play Uzbekistan in the last group match.

In the first group match, Uzbekistan had thrashed Tajikistan 12-0 in the first group match while Nepal had beaten Kyrgyzstan 8-2.

Nepal hopes to overcome stronger Uzbekistan suffered an early blow after losing skipper Neru Thapa to injury in the 14 minute. Thapa sustained injury during a challenge with an Uzbekistan player and was substituted by Saru Limbu.

Uzbekistan took the lead in the 34th minute with the Karachik Ludmila opener and doubled the score from Safina Rushania in the 50th minute. On Tuesday, Nepal only needs a draw against Tajikistan to secure a clash with finalist Uzbekistan.

 
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