KATHMANDU: Anil Gurung scored one and assisted another for Bharat Khawas as Nepal beat Bangladesh 2-0 to make a triumphant start in the eighth SAFF Championship here at the Dasharath Stadium today. In front of some 20,000 fans, Nepal made a bright start creating early scoring chances. Anil, who could not properly connect a Bhola Silwal cross in the fourth minute, put Nepal ahead in the 18th when he headed home following the acute cross from Bhola Silwal. It was Anil’s eighth international goal in 32 matches and first in two years. Nepal should have made it 2-0 in the 23rd minute only to see Anil’s bouncing header off a Biraj Maharjan cross going inches wide of the post. Nepal doubled the tally when Bharat’s right footed shot kissed the nets following a faint flick header from Anil on a Jagjit Shretha’s corner kick in the 31st minute. With this, Bharat also took his international goal tally to eight from 29 matches. Nepal coach Jack Stefanowski was more than excited to make a winning start. “If we are looking to progress to the next round, first match is always crucial. We earned much needed three points. I am very happy with the win,” said the coach. Stefanowski switched players’ positions frequently and the team squandered a number of scoring chances in the second half. “Despite missing chances in the latter part, I am very happy to walk away with full three points, everybody gave their best.” The second successive victory over Bangladesh in the SAFF Championship was also the only second win for Nepal in the inaugural match of the championship after beating Sri Lanka 3-2 in the second edition held in Goa in 1999. The fifth win in 15th encounters against a formidable regional rivals was a also sweet revenge of their 2-0 loss during of the AFC Challenge Cup Qualifiers on home soil in March for Nepal. It was also the only second win for Stefanowski in six matches after taking the helm of the national side in January. Nepal had earlier thrashed Northern Mariana Islands 6-0 during the Challenge Cup Qualifiers. Nepal dominated the field for most of the time during the match but failed to add to the scoresheet. Defender Rohit Chand, who was switched to midfield, missed two clear chances, while Bangladesh goalkeeper Mamun Khan stood firm in front of goal on couple of occasions. Mamum made a finger-tip save tp deny Anil’s chip. Prakash Budhathoki made his international debut as a 46th minute substitute for Jagjit Shrestha. Mamun then punched out a powerful 20-yard left-footed strike from Rohit for corner in the 74th minute and unmarked Anil fired wide from the area six minutes later. Substitute Jumanu Rai was also denied by the Bangladeshi goalie. Bangladesh coach Lodewijk De Kruif said they lost the match after his defenders made terrible mistakes to concede two goals inside the first half an hour. “It was all but impossible for us to overturn two- goal deficit, especially in this ground,” said the Dutch coach. He admitted it was merely a bad day for them. “We had prepared well for this match and it was disappointing for us,” added the coach. Earlier, Minister for Youth and Sports Ram Kumar Shrestha, President of South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Kazi Salahuddin and National Sports Council Member Secretary Yubaraj Lama, ANFA President Ganesh Thapa among others inaugurated the tournament. Nepal next meet Pakistan, who will be up against five-time champions India on Sunday, at the same venue on Tuesday.
Posted on: Sun, 01 Sep 2013 02:01:47 +0000
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