Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Hosts Nepal conceded a 0-1 defeat to Pakistan in their first match of the SAFF U-19 Football Championship 2023 at Dasharath Stadium in Kathmandu on Thursday.
Ali Zafar scored a wonder goal with a long-range shot in the 76th minute, leaving Nepali keeper Jiyarath Sheikh, who made some beautiful saves in the game, perplexed.
Pakistan dominated the proceedings from the very beginning of the match. Nepal had one good opportunity in the 11th minute, but Samir Tamang’s shot from inside the box went over the crossbar. Pakistani forward Mohammad Adil had a chance to score one minute later, but his shot went above the post.
Pakistan missed two opportunities in the 33rd minute. Nepali keeper Sheikh made a brilliant save to deny Mohammad Adil, while Mohammad Haroon failed to score on the rebound.
Adil had another opportunity one minute later, but his shot went agonizingly wide when he had only the goalkeeper to beat.
Pakistan continued the momentum in the second half and was finally rewarded in the 76th minute.
Nepal will now play their next match against the Maldives on September 25, knowing that anything but victory would see them crash out of the championship.
India beats Bangladesh 3-0
Earlier in the inaugural match, India beat Bangladesh 3-0 in their first group match of the championship.
India scored two goals in the first half and added a third in the second half. India took the lead in just 33 seconds as an unmarked Gwgwsmsar Gayary’s shot found the back of the net after Bangladesh defenders failed to clear Indian captain Ishan Sisodiya’s beautiful cross into the box.
India doubled their advantage in injury time of the first half as Pangamban Naoba Meitei capitalized on the Bangladeshi defense’s error to score from a powerful shot into the second bar.
Bangladesh had their chances in both halves of the game but failed to make them count. India scored their third in the 89th minute of the match as an unmarked Arjun Singh Oinam controlled Sisodiya’s cross to score a beautiful goal.
The victory means India will advance to the semifinals if they secure a draw against Bhutan in their second match. Bangladesh will have to win their second match against Bhutan to stay in the competition.
