KATHMANDU, Sept 20: Defending champion Nepal has failed to register a win in its first match in SAFF U-18 Championship 2019 against the Maldives as the final score-line remained 1-1. 

Host Nepali side created many chances, however, failed to make it to the final touch. 

The Maldivian striker Hasan Najib Rahaman netted the ball into the Nepali goal-post in the 14th minute utilizing a penalty provided after a foul committed by a Nepali defender Roshan Dong against Maldivian player in the D-box area.

The only equalizer goal came in the form of the header by Manish Dangi utilizing the pass by Brijesh Chaudhary in the 74th minute. 

The Maldivian goal-keeper Hasan Ali’s brilliant goalkeeping and stout defending by the visiting team denied the defending champion to register the victory. 

The match was played at Halchowk Stadium in Kathmandu.

Nepal will play its second group match against Bhutan on Sunday. 

 
• SAFF_U-18
 
• football
 
• Nepal
 
• Maldives