Nepal made a winning start to the SAFF U-17 Championship by defeating hosts Sri Lanka 2-0 in their opening match on Monday. Despite being reduced to 10 men, the home side failed to withstand Nepal’s attacking play at the Colombo Racecourse Sports Complex.
Samir was the hero for Nepal, scoring both goals to secure a comfortable victory. The win strengthens Nepal’s chances of reaching the semifinals from their three-team group.
Nepal will face Bangladesh, the runners-up of the last edition, in their second group-stage match on September 18. A draw would be enough to confirm their place in the semifinals. However, a defeat would leave Nepal waiting for the outcome of the final group match between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. The team, riding high in confidence, is aiming to overcome Bangladesh to advance with momentum.
In Group B, two matches are scheduled for Tuesday. India will take on the Maldives in the first fixture, while Bhutan face Pakistan in the second.
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