Football

Nepal’s chances of qualifying for the AFC U-17 Asian Cup finals fizzled on Friday, following a 5-0 loss to Vietnam in a Group F match at the Viet Tri Stadium.

Nepal, who had lost to Thailand 3-0 in the opening match on Wednesday, were forced to backfoot by Vietnam from the onset. 

The hosts split the Nepali defence at will as they went 4-0 up into the break before adding their fifth in the second half added time.

Nguyen Cong Phuong got the ball rolling in the seventh minute when he beat Nepali goalkeeper Krishal Moktan with a powerful shot from just outside the penalty box. 

In the 12th minute, Bui Hoang Son doubled their advantage, nodding home a V Di Thuong free kick.

Vietnam continued to dominate and scored their third in the 16th minute through Vi Dinh Thuong, with Le Dinh Long Vu finding the net just before the half-hour mark.

Nepal had a chance to narrow the gap in the 37th minute, but Vietnamese goalkeeper Pham Dinh Hai blocked Harishraj Bhatta’s shot.

Nepal tightened their defence and disturbed Vietnam’s passing game after the break. But they failed to mount pressure on the hosts.

Huynh Van Danh added the fifth three minutes into the second-half added time to complete the emphatic win.

Thailand defeated Chinese Taipei 3-1 in the group’s other match on the day. Both teams are level on six points from two wins, with Vietnam, who beat Chinese Taipei 4-0 in their opening match, currently lead the group on better goal difference. 

The two sides square off on Sunday to decide the group winners. Nepal and Chinese Taipei will look for their first points when they meet in their final tie on the same day.