#AFC_U_16_Championship:: (Next:Nepal vs kuwait 9 September) Read::: Nepal U-16 1-1 Uzbekistan Match Summary::: Bangkok: Kiran Sunar scored a stoppage-time equaliser as Nepal snatched a 1-1 draw with defending champions Uzbekistan in Sundays Group C opener at the AFC U-16 Championship at Muangthong Stadium. Alexander Mochinovs Uzbekistan dominated the majority of the game against a battling Nepal and the 2012 champions eventually took the lead at the beginning of the second half through Jonibek Kuchimovs penalty. However, Nepal snatched an incredible equaliser in stoppage time at the end of the second half when Sunar headed in Anjan Bistas free-kick. I said on Saturday that we wanted to get to the next round so Im very happy with how we played, said Nepal coach Bal Gopal Maharjan, with his side set to face Kuwait on Tuesday in their next outing in Group C. We looked nervous and were lacking confidence at the beginning, but we improved after 20 minutes. Cheered on by a small group of fans complete with band, Uzbekistan got off to a bright start as captain Ilkhomjon Alijanov headed just wide from Islom Kenjabaevs free-kick in the eighth minute. Yusuf Shoimov and Azizjon Ganiev then combined beautifully to set Kenjabaev through on goal in the 14th minute, but his effort was saved by the Nepal goalkeeper Roman Rasaili. And it took 20 minutes for Nepal, who were without suspended Anderlecht striker Bimal Gharti Magar, to record their first meaningful effort as Sunil Bals goalbound shot was well blocked by defender Shokhrukh Mahmudxojoyev. But it was Uzbekistan, who were without suspended midfielder Sukhrob Nurulloev, who were creating the better of the chances and the defending champions went close to another breakthrough on 28 minutes when the unmarked Kuchimov failed to convert Kenjabaevs cross at the back post. Nepal, though, produced one of the moves of the game 10 minutes before half-time when neat combination passing from Gaurab Budhathoki, Sunar and Bikash Thapa teed up Bista, who blazed over from a promising position. But Uzbekistan started the second half the better of the two sides and were awarded a penalty nine minutes after the restart when Kenjabaev was fouled inside the area by Ananta Tamang after being played in by Kuchimov, who calmly dispatched the resulting spot kick. Uzbekistan continued to attack as they looked to put the game beyond their opponents and midfielder Jakhongir Akhmadov fired a powerful 20-yard shot just wide on the hour mark. Kenjabaev and Kuchimov were beginning to run the show in the middle of the park as they split the Nepalese defence time and again, but Uzbekistan were unable to find a crucial second. Nepal, who have only qualified for two previous AFC U-16 Championships, then amazingly nearly grabbed an equaliser with two minutes remaining when Sujit Gurungs shot from distance was parried to safety by Uzbekistan goalkeeper Akrom Khodjaev before Bistas flick was cleared off the line. But with Uzbekistan appearing to have done just enough, Sunar headed home from Bistas free-kick from the left in the third minute of stoppage time to snatch a point for Nepal. We played a strong game and created many chances, but our forwards couldnt take them, said Uzbekistan coach Mochinov, who now must raise his players for Tuesdays meeting with DPR Korea. Nepal did not have many chances, but my players tired after 75 minutes. They had few chances but scored one.
Posted on: Mon, 08 Sep 2014 09:16:47 +0000
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