Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Tehran: Nepal’s slim chances of reaching the 2016 AFC U-23 Championship effectively ended on Sunday after a 6-0 defeat at the hands of Saudi Arabia consigned the South Asians to their third successive Group C defeat.
The Saudis scored three times in each half with an Ahmed Essa Al Nathiri double (28th and 45th) following a 22nd minute opener from captain Mustafa Al Bassas giving the Saudis a comfortable cushion to take into the interval at the PAS Stadium in the Iranian capital.
Nepal held out until 18 minutes into the second half when Mohammed Al Saiari made it 4-0 to the Saudis before substitute Rayan Siddiq Al Mousa, who replace Al Nathiri in the 66th minute, struck in the 77th minute before Saleh Al Shehri sealed the Gulf kingdom’s second Group C win with five minutes left on the clock.
The victory took Saudi Arabia’s points tally to seven with only a match against Group C hosts Iran on Tuesday remaining while Nepal will be playing for pride and their first points when they round of their unsuccessful campaign against Palestine in Tuesday’s earlier match at the same venue.
Ten group winners and five best second-placed teams from all groups will join hosts Qatar at the AFC U-23 Championship 2016, with January’s 16-team competition also serving as Asia’s qualifying tournament for the Olympic Games in Rio.