Kathmandu: Nepal has reached the semi-finals of SAFF U-19 Championship after defeating Maldives. Nepal will now play either Bhutan or India in the semi-finals.
Nepal beat Maldives 4-1 in a competitive match at Dasharath Stadium. Prashant Laxman, Sameer Tamang and Nirajan Dhami scored to win Nepal. Prashant’s long range shot in the 16th minute hit the net from the top of the post.
Similarly, in 29 minutes, Sameer doubled Nepal’s lead by scoring on Nirajan Dhami’s throw pass. But in the 57th minute, Maldives returned 1 goal. Nirajan scored in the 88th minute and Nepal won 3-1.
From the beginning of the match, Nepal made pressure. In the sixth minute, Prashant Laxam’s shot from Nirajan Dhami’s pass went off the post.
Two minutes later, Dhami’s ball from the right went off the top of the post.
Both teams are limited to 10 players
After Nepal scored the first goal, right winger Suzan Dangol of Nepal and captain of Maldives Mohammad Ian Hassan went to fight immediately after Maldives started the ball.
Sujan pushed Hasan forward with Kum. After that, Hasan, who had fought, became aggressive towards Sujan.
The referee then consulted with the assistant referees and sent both players off the field with red cards.
After receiving a red card, Sujan left the field crying.