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Pakistan 1-1 Nepal – The Gorkhalis Book Their Berth In The Semi-Finals
Graham Roberts’ side are the first to seal their spot in the final four of the competition as the draw against Pakistan aided their cause…
By Rahul Bali
Goal.com
Nepal and Pakistan split the points among them in their final group B match held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Delhi on Tuesday.
A first half strike by man of the match Bharat Khawas was cancelled out by Samar Ishaq’s spot-kick in the second half.
Nepal are the first side to qualify for the semi-finals while Pakistan’s future in the competition still hangs in the air as that would be determined at the end of the second match – Maldives versus Bangladesh. If the game between Maldives and Bangladesh ends in a goalless draw, that would see a draw of the lots between Pakistan and Maldives. If Maldives - Bangladesh ends up in a scored draw, Pakistan would be out as it would be Maldives who shall progress.
Pakistan coach Zavisa Milosavljevic made two changes from the last match as Kaleem Ullah and Muhammed Ahmed were included in the starting line-up. Graham Roberts seemed to have lost his patience with Anil Gurung as Santhosh Khala and Jumani Rai were the two strikers.
The two teams played cautiously with Pakistan playing with almost all their players behind the ball except Jadeed Khan looking to hit on the counter.
Sagar Thapa had a chance when he volleyed Sagar Thapa’s free-kick from his own half which didn’t trouble the rival custodian.
Pakistan appealed for a penalty in the 16th minute when Sagar Thapa won the ball from Jadeed Khan with a sliding tackle. While the referee waived off the appeals, Pakistan coach seemed displayed about it.
Kaleem Ullah had a crack on goal when he collected a ball from Nepal half and unleashed a fierce left footer which saw Kiran Kumar Limbu dive to his left and save the danger.
The breakthrough came eight minutes before the end of the first half as Bharat Khawas, unmarked inside the area, slotted home from a Rajju Tamang cornerkick.
Just three minutes into the second half and Pakistan found the equaliser through Samar Ishaq as he sent Kiran Kumar Limbu the wrong side from the penalty sspot. This was after Sandip Rai fouled Kaleem Ullah inside the box which left referee Nagor Aamir no choice but to award the spot-kick.
The play had to be halted for five minutes or so when there was a clash of heads between Rabin Shreshta and Muhammed Rizwan Asif.
Kaleem Ullah found Saddam Hussain whose left footed show from the edge of the box went wide in the 71st minute.
In the 78th minute, Hasnain Abbas threw himself over goalkeeper Kiran Kumar Limbu after he had collected a Faisal Iqbal cross from the left and thereafter acted as if he had been fouled by covering his face!
Substitute Bhola Nath Silwal had a long range attempt but hit it straight to Jafar Khan.
Sagar Thapa being overambitious with his free-kicks and wasting at least a five of them, it was Sandip Rai who has given the chance to whip it in from the edge of the box when Santhosh Khala was fouled by Kamran Khan. Goalkeeper Jafar Khan remained glued to his position as Rai’s free-kick came off the side post.
The scoreline remained the same until the end as Nepal progressed into the knockouts. Bharat Khawas was handed the man of the match award.
A first half strike by man of the match Bharat Khawas was cancelled out by Samar Ishaq’s spot-kick in the second half.
Nepal are the first side to qualify for the semi-finals while Pakistan’s future in the competition still hangs in the air as that would be determined at the end of the second match – Maldives versus Bangladesh. If the game between Maldives and Bangladesh ends in a goalless draw, that would see a draw of the lots between Pakistan and Maldives. If Maldives - Bangladesh ends up in a scored draw, Pakistan would be out as it would be Maldives who shall progress.
Pakistan coach Zavisa Milosavljevic made two changes from the last match as Kaleem Ullah and Muhammed Ahmed were included in the starting line-up. Graham Roberts seemed to have lost his patience with Anil Gurung as Santhosh Khala and Jumani Rai were the two strikers.
The two teams played cautiously with Pakistan playing with almost all their players behind the ball except Jadeed Khan looking to hit on the counter.
Sagar Thapa had a chance when he volleyed Sagar Thapa’s free-kick from his own half which didn’t trouble the rival custodian.
Pakistan appealed for a penalty in the 16th minute when Sagar Thapa won the ball from Jadeed Khan with a sliding tackle. While the referee waived off the appeals, Pakistan coach seemed displayed about it.
Kaleem Ullah had a crack on goal when he collected a ball from Nepal half and unleashed a fierce left footer which saw Kiran Kumar Limbu dive to his left and save the danger.
The breakthrough came eight minutes before the end of the first half as Bharat Khawas, unmarked inside the area, slotted home from a Rajju Tamang cornerkick.
Just three minutes into the second half and Pakistan found the equaliser through Samar Ishaq as he sent Kiran Kumar Limbu the wrong side from the penalty sspot. This was after Sandip Rai fouled Kaleem Ullah inside the box which left referee Nagor Aamir no choice but to award the spot-kick.
The play had to be halted for five minutes or so when there was a clash of heads between Rabin Shreshta and Muhammed Rizwan Asif.
Kaleem Ullah found Saddam Hussain whose left footed show from the edge of the box went wide in the 71st minute.
In the 78th minute, Hasnain Abbas threw himself over goalkeeper Kiran Kumar Limbu after he had collected a Faisal Iqbal cross from the left and thereafter acted as if he had been fouled by covering his face!
Substitute Bhola Nath Silwal had a long range attempt but hit it straight to Jafar Khan.
Sagar Thapa being overambitious with his free-kicks and wasting at least a five of them, it was Sandip Rai who has given the chance to whip it in from the edge of the box when Santhosh Khala was fouled by Kamran Khan. Goalkeeper Jafar Khan remained glued to his position as Rai’s free-kick came off the side post.
The scoreline remained the same until the end as Nepal progressed into the knockouts. Bharat Khawas was handed the man of the match award.
Goal
Own Goal
Penalty
Penalty Missed
Yellow Card
Assist
Penalty Save
Penalty Shootout Goal
Penalty Shootout Miss
Yellow Card / Red Card
Red Card
Substitution IN
Substitution OUT
Injury
Goal.com Rating
Goal.com Man of the Match
Goal.com Flop of the Match
Top & Flop Global Ranking
Fans' Man of the Match
Fans' Flop of the Match
Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Sunil Chhetri
Striker India |
7 | 2 |
|
Balal Arezo
Striker Afghanistan |
6 | 0 |
|
C. Miranda
Midfielder India |
3 | 0 |
|
Ata Mohammad Yamir Ali
Midfielder Afghanistan |
2 | 0 |
|
Syed Nabi
Defender India |
2 | 0 |