Prime Minister Cup: Nepal Blue crash out as JW and Sri Lanka played draw

Kathmandu Marcha, 10- Nepal 'Blue' were dumped out of the PM Cup Invitational Football Tournament after Sri Lanka and JW Team of Thailand played a 0-0 draw in the last Group 'A' match here at the Dasharath Stadium today.

Sri Lanka, who had already secured their place in the semi-finals after winning their first match against the home team, topped the group with four points while JW Team finished runners up with two points. Nepal 'Blue' were out of the competition after securing only one point. The hosts would have advanced had Sri Lanka beaten the JW Team.

Sri Lanka made nine changes to the starting lineup and played around rather than going for goals. JW were also not hungry for goal as they needed just a draw. JW Team had a shot at target in the 15th minute when unmarked Mongkol Nakkasak headed high from eight yards following a cross from Thana Punpakhom. The Thai team were unlucky in the 35th minute as Punpakhom's 25-yard freekick rebound off the bar. Sri Lanka almost took lead in the 36th minute when JW goalie Kumkaew Sopa spilled S Sanjeewa’s header only to recover and collect it in the second attempt. Narongsak Mongkonhirun wasted a sitter for Sri Lanka in the 66th minute to the dissapointment of the home team. Mongkonhirun shot wide in an unattended post from close range. The JW Team also suffered from poor finishing as Anuwat Dokput shot off target from eight yards in an encouner where he had just Sri Lankan custodian HM Kumara to beat.

Nepal 'Red' will take on Pakistan in the last Group 'B' match on Wednesday. All Three teams including Arambagh Kriasingham of Bangladesh are tied on one point each.