Nepal plays a 1-1 draw against Bhutan, progresses into the final

KATHMANDU: Nepal entered the final of the Prime Minister Three Nations Cup, playing a 1-1 draw against Bhutan at the Dasharath Stadium in Kathmandu on Tuesday.

Bhutan took the lead in the 19th minute when Tenzing Norbu scored from a header utilizing Dawa Tshering’s corner kick. Deepak Raj Singh Thakuri equalized for Nepal in the 90th minute.

Having conceded a 2-1 defeat against Laos in its first match, Bhutan needed a victory to stay in the game. It was well on course till the 90th minute. But Thakuri headed past the Bhutanese goalie in the dying seconds of the regulated 90 minutes to spoil Bhutan’s hope of progressing.  He utilized Ananta Thapa’s pass to score his first goal in the national colors in two games.

This is Bhutan’s first draw against Nepal in 13 meetings. Nepal had won the previous 12 meetings against its South Asian neighbor.

Laos, which conceded a 0-2 defeat against Nepal in its first match, will meet Nepal in the final of the tournament.

The final will be played at Dasharath Stadium on Friday.