A brilliant hattrick by Nawayug Shrestha guided Nepal to the final of 4th Bangabandhu Gold Cup International Football Tournament as they outplayed Maldives by 4-1 goals in the 2nd semifinal at Bangbandhu National Stadium here on Tuesday.
They will face Bahrain in the final on Friday.
Medio Nawayug Shrestha slammed a hat-trick for the Himalayan state scoring three goals while Bisha Rai netted the other goal for Nepal. Forward Nashid Ahmed scored the consolation goal for the Maldives.
In a quick counter attack, Nepal midfielder Nawayug Shrestha went past Maldives defense, but his low right footer went straight to goalie Faisal Mahamed in the 15th minute.
Nepal took the lead in the 30th minute through their midfielder Nawayug Shreshtha. Rabin Shrestha sent a through pass to forward Bimol Gharti Magar whose fierce left footer hit the side post and Nawayug placed the ball into the net (1-0)
In the 44th minute, Maldives forward Easa Ismail’s fierce shot right from 20 yards was punched for a corner by Nepal goalie Bikesh Kuthu.
Nepal doubled the lead in the 53rd minute when their Anjan Bista paved the way for Bishal Rai between two Maldives defenders at the middle of the box. Bisha Rai blasted home as Maldives goalie Faisal failed to react (2-0)
Nawayug netted his second goal and the third goals for Nepal in the 62nd minute by a placing shot over the onrushing goalie Faisal from the left (3-0).
Maldives reduced the margin in the 75th minute through their forward Nashid Ahmed, who scored from a through pass of Hasan Naiz (3-1)
In the 79th minute, Maldives substitute forward Ibrahim Ansar’s shot hit the crosspiece.
Nawayug Shrestha completed his hat-trick by a placing shot, off Hemanta Gurung pass, in the injury time of the match (4-1).
