The India U-14 Girls’ national team bowed out of the AFC U-14 Regional Tournament when they went down 0-1 to Nepal in the semifinal in Kathmandu, Nepal on Friday (April 24, 2015).
A heroic and valiant display of skill and acumen by the Indian eves could not open the portal to the finals as Nirmal Upadhaya’s goal in the 46th minute proved the difference between the two teams.
Although India dominated possession and dictated play in the first half, chances fostered by them were unable to see the light of day.
The Indian contingent started the tie on a positive note and jotted down passes with utmost ease, which proved a hefty task to deal with for Nepal. This almost earned them dividends in the 36th minute when Karishma Rai, who blasted four goals against Bhutan, came close to testing the mettle of Nepal’s goalkeeper as her shot flew inches wide of the post.
The Nepalese goalkeeper came to her team’s rescue in the 55th minute when a rocket-of-a-shot, following a counter attack by India, was saved by her acrobatically.
Albeit attacking with intensity and fluidity, the Indian contingent could not grab a goal back and at the end of 70 minutes the scoreline read 1-0 in favour of Nepal.
(Report & Picture courtesy AIFF Media)