Pak outplay Nepal 2-0 to level soccer series

LAHORE—Pakistan beat Nepal in the last match to level at 1-1 at Pokhara in central Nepal on Thursday. Pak teams victory owed to front runners Muhammad Qasim and Muhammad Rasool who put up memorable display with striking ability as Pakistan outplayed hosts in all departments of the game,said a message received here.
Kaski District Football Association, in association with All Nepal Football association, hosted the first-ever series between two nations. Thursday’s clash was 12th between two nations and now both the teams have won the match four times while four matches ended in draw. Pakistan have edge on goal counts with 14-13
The two-match friendly series was part of both the teams preparation for the upcoming AFC Challenge Cup and SAFF Championship. Both Pakistan and Nepal will also face each other in Group-A clash of SAFF Championship on June 7 at National Stadium, Male in Maldives.
With Bikash Malla infront of cage, Nepal started the game with outfield players Rakesh Shreshta (skipper), Chun Bahadur Thapa, Bikash Singh Chhetri, Biraj Maharjan , Pradeep Maharjan, Sandeep Rai, Nirajan Khadka, Santosh Saukhala, Anil Gurung, Jumanu Rai.
On Tuesday, Pokhara Stadium was suffused with heavy celebrations after Nepalese team staged comeback 2-1 victory in the soccer crazy city.
Once again in the presence of a big crowd , the home team opened the game in offensive style. Pradeep forced the first opportunity of the 90-minute tussle in the fourth minute but his header off Sandeep was not timed to perfection. Eight minutes later, Young Nirajan Khadka sent a powerful 25-metre drive over the cross bar.
Cautious Pakistan opened the match with tight defensive pattern and they might have conceded goal in the 27th minute but Anil Gurung, scorer of winner in first test, fumbled the opportunity from point-blank range after Santosh opened the gate for him. Pakistani skipper Muhammad Essa, who earned goal and yellow card in first outing, came close in the 31st minute but he drove the ball wildly.
The 36th minute saw Nepalese keeper Malla guarded the post well when a curvy corner created panic in Nepalese defence. Seven minutes from interval, Pardeep’s 30-metre fierce drive failed to dismantle Pakistani keeper as first half ended 0-0.
Pakistan started the game in second session in positive mood and stunned Malla with opener in the 46th minute. Qasim hoodwinked three markers and smashed the ball past bemused keeper from the edge of the area.
Nepal’s coaches Upendra Man Singh and Bal Gopal Maharjan suffered agony when in the 52nd minute Santosh Saukhala saw his shot was punched away by keeper. The 82nd saw the arrival of Rajesh Shahi inplace of Sandeep Rai for his last international cap before announcing his retirement from international football arena after the match. Pakistan were home and dry when Muhammad Rasool pounced on Malla’s careless approach, pouncing on rebound and steering the ball into the post and give Pakistan well-deserved 2-0 win.

—Agencies