Coming from behind, Himalayan nation Nepal storm into the final of the four-nation SAFF U-20 Women's Championship '2023 shocking favourite India beating them by 3-1 goal in their last league match at Bir Sherestha Shaheed Shipahi Mostafa Kamal Stadium in Kamalapur here on Tuesday.
India, which rout Bhutan by 12-0 goal in the tournament opener, today (Tuesday) also dominated the first half by 1-0 goal, but the scenario of the match changed in the 2nd half with the frustration of India.
Nepal, which entered the field Tuesday afternoon in a must-win situation to reach the final, initially went down in the race conceding a goal in the middle of the first half, but the determined Nepalese girls achieved their tough target scoring three goals in a row in the 2nd half, silencing the high flying Indian tent.
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With the day's well merited win, Nepal smartly qualified for the final as the first team securing six points from all three group matches after suffering 1-3 goal defeat against hosts Bangladesh in the first match and beat Bhutan by 4-0 goal in the 2nd match.
After the day's debacle, India, which drew goalless against Bangladesh in the 2nd match, now had to pray for a defeat of Bangladesh against all losers Bhutan Tuesday evening for their tough final berth.
After the match, Bangladesh needs just a draw against all-losers Bhutan in their last league match Tuesday (February 7) evening to qualify for the final.
In the day's match, Apurna Narzari scored first for India in the 21st minute by a placing shot utilizing a cross of Sumita Kumari to dominate the first half by 1-0.
Anjali Chand leveled the margin for Nepal in the 48th minute capitalizing on a lapse of India defender (1-1).
After making the equaliser, confidence level of Nepalese booters grew up and they made a series of attempts towards Indian territory and took its fruit scoring two goals in the last few minutes.
Captain Preeti Rai put Nepal ahead from behind scoring the 2nd goal in the 69th minute from a penalty (2-1) while the match best performer Amisha Karki sealed the fate of the match scoring one more goal in the 89th minute.(3-1).
With the goal, Amisha Karka dominating the scorer list making four goals, featuring a hattrick against Bhutan in the last match.