Misfiring Nepal on brink of elimination after Kyrgyz draw

Nepal's hopes of advancing to the AFC Challenge Cup 2010 was hit hard after they were forced to share a point by Kyrgyzstan in the Group 'C' qualifying tournament here at the Dasharath Stadium today.Nepal still lead the group with two points from as many matches after the 1-1 here today and Monday's result between Kyrgyzstan and Palestine, who have one point each, will decide one of the three teams to qualify for the finals slated for India next year. Clear result on Monday meant the winner will qualify with four points.

Nepal played a goalless draw against Palestine on Thursday. The home team was left pondering 'what would have been' as they came closeto scoring twice in the second half after defender Biraj Maharjan had providedan early second minute lead. In fact, it was Kyrgyzstan who gifted Maharjan the goal. Maharjan's freekick from 35-yard bounced before kissing the nets thanks to the misunderstanding between the Kyrgyzstan's defenders and goalkeeper Paval Matiash. Nepal had a lucky escape in the 10th minute when Mirlan Murzaev's strike took ahuge deflection of a Nepali defender and hit the woodwork.

It was the only time Nepal looked vulnerable as home team, playing without their influential defenders Rakesh Shrestha and Anjan KC, took absolute control of the game. Both the defenders are nursing injuries they carried from their first match.Nepal repeatedly threatened the Kyrgyzstan goal notably in the 27th, 67th and 89th minute but the visitors found the equaliser through spot kick in the 85th minute. Biraj handled the ball inside the penalty area and Iranian referee Jahanbazi Yadollah pointed towards the spot. Murzaev coolly converted the spot kick making Nepali goalkeeper Bikash Malla dive the wrong way.Earlier, Santosh Sahukhala shot wide from eight yards following the Ju Manu set up in the 27th minute.

Nepal should have doubled their lead four minutes later but Vijay Gurung's close-ranged shot in an unattended post rebounded off Sahukhala's body who was lying flat on the ground. Nepal still would have walked away with win had not Vijay's powerful strike rebounded off the inner cross bar four minutes after Kyrgyzstan levelled the scores.

Nepali coach Yogamber Man Suwal believed his team deserved victory. "We played better than we did in our previous match," said Suwal ruing the missed opportunities. Stand-in-captain Sagar Thapa said that luck was against them."We were here to win but are still happy to have earned a point," said Kyrgyzstan coach Anarbek Ormombekov. Ormombekov did not even hesitated to praise Nepali game. "They are a good team, well organised and quick," said the Kyrgyzstan.

Only the group leaders will qualify for the eight-team finals scheduled for next year in India. Each of the four group winners from the qualifying tournaments along with one best runners up team will join defending champions India, Tajikistan and DPR Korea

Nepal 1 - 1 Kyrgyzstan

Biraj Maharjan 2
Murzaev Mirlan 85 (Pen)

Nepal: Bikash Malla - Biraj Maharjan, Rohit Chand, Sagar Thapa, Deepak Bhusal - Bijay Gurung, Faju Tamang, Santosh Shaukhala, Chetan Ghimire - Anil Gurung, Ju Manu Rai

Kyrgyzstan: Matiash - Samsaliev (Abitov 80), Sydykov, Amin (Usanov 66) , Sheratov - Cholponbek, Harchenko (Dajamshidov 62), Bokoev, Sidorenko - Murzaev, ZelianuhinYellow

Yellow card: Sydykov, Sheratov