Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Kathmandu: Palestine secured a qualification in the AFC Challenge Cup 2014 after emerging as the Group E winners as they played a goalless draw against hosts Nepal in their last group match on Wednesday.
Needing to avoid defeat after Bangladesh secured 4-0 win over Northern Mariana Islands, the Jamal Mahmoud’s side just managed what they needed in front of a huge home team supporting crowd at the Dashrath Stadium. Palestine had edged Nepal 2-0 in the final of the 2012 edition of the Challenge Cup that was held in Kathmandu.
Palestine ended up as the only side in Group E who remain undefeated. Having beaten Bangladesh 1-0 in their first match, the 2012 Challenge Cup semi-finalists thrashed debutants Northern Mariana Islands 9-0 before firing blanks today.
Bangladesh will have to wait for the results of other groups which will be completed on March 26. Hosts Nepal finished third with a win, draw and loss in the tournament.