KATHMANDU, July 16: Nepal U-23 football team faced 2-0 defeat against Uzbekistan in its second group stage match of the ongoing AFC U-23 Championship 2018 Qualifiers on Monday.
Despite an improved performance than 5-0 defeat to United Arab Emirates (UAE) in its first match on Saturday, Nepali youth team suffered second loss in a row at Tahnon Bin Mohamed stadium, Al Ain.
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Now with the two straight defeats, Nepal is in the last position in Group D of the qualifiers while Uzbekistan is at the top with six points. However, the result between home team UAE and Lebanon to be held on Monday night could change the equation of the table. The UAE has accumulated three points while Lebanon is winless.
Turusunov Dostonbek and Ganiev Azizjon scored one goal each for Uzbekistan. Turusunov scored a brilliant header in the 21st minute utilizing the long pass from winger Sidikov Javokhir. After fullback Kamal Shrestha failed to mark Turusunov properly in the penalty box Uzbek defender scored a free header to keep his team in the driving seat.
Second half substitute Ganiev Azizjon made it 2-0 for Uzbekistan in the 80th minute. Again it was Sidikov Javokhir who once again created the pass for the goal.
Sidikov made a brilliant pass to Ganiev in the Nepali danger zone before goal scorer slotting it easily in the opponent’s net.
Nepal will now take on Lebanon in its last match on Wednesday.
