Nepal through to SAFF final despite drawn game

A superb second half rally by Nepal enabled them to hold Bangladesh to a 1-1 draw and secure a spot in the final of the 13th South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Tournament at the National Stadium in Male yesterday.

After trailing 0-1 until the 88th minute, the Nepalese put up a gallant performance to bounce back and to equalise and to become the first team to enter the final for the fourth occasion with seven points from the four matches played.

Earlier, a spectacular goal booted in the ninth minute of the first half by Hassan Reza helped Bangladesh to dominate play until the dying stages of the game.

After the turnaround, Nepal found the equaliser in the 79th minute of the game.

Rahman Zico of Bangladesh was sent off the field with a red card for dangerous play and Bangladesh were down to 10-men. Using the advantage Nepal capitalised to surge ahead and scored the important goal through A. Bista.

Nepal last won this tournament in 2003 and were the runners-up in 1999 and 2005.