Nepal will play against India in the SAFF U-19 Championship 2023 after defeating Maldives 4-1 in the must-win match on Monday.
Following defeat against Pakistan and draw played by Maldives and Pakistan, Nepal had to defeat Maldives to reach the semis of the tournament. Nepal, having finished runner-up of the group, will now play against India in the semi-final after India defeated Bhutan 2-1.
In the first match of the day at Dasharath Stadium, Prashant Laksam opened the scoring for Nepal in the 17th minute of the match. Samir Tamang doubled the lead in the 30th minute before Maldives pulled one back in the 58th minute through Adam Layaan Rasheed.
Nepal restored the two-goal cushion in the 88th through Nirajan Dhami. Samir Tamang then secured the victory in the sixth minute of the game when he scored his second and Nepal's fourth goal.
In the second game which would decide the group winner, India defeated Bhutan 2-1. Bhutan took the lead in the game in the 20th minute through Jigme Namgyel's stunner before Gwgwmsar Goyary levelled the game in the 37th game.
Ricky Meetei Haobam then gave India the victory in the 64th minute.
The semi-final of the competition between India and Nepal will be played on Wednesday at 5:30 pm. The other semi-final between Pakistan and Bhutan will be played on the same day at 1:30 pm.
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