Nepal’s crushing defeat to Kuwait

KATHMANDU: Nepal’s chances of being selected for the AFC Asian Cup 2023 have been eliminated after a second consecutive defeat. Nepal was defeated 4-1 by Kuwait on Saturday night at the Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium in Kuwait City.

Nepal had previously lost 2-0 to Jordan in the first match. Nepal now sits at the bottom of Group A with no points from two games. Yousef Nasser Al-Sulaiman scored twice in Kuwait’s first victory, and Fahad Al-Rashidi and Mobarak Al-Faneeni each scored once.

Darshan Gurung of Nepal scored a consolation goal. Darshan is the team’s second scorer against Kuwait in eight games. In the Asian Games 40 years ago, YB Ghale of Nepal scored a goal against Kuwait.

Fahad scored a header in the 28th minute of the game to give Kuwait the lead. In the 48th minute, Yousef scored his second goal. Yousef scored his second individual goal in the 70th minute, and Al-Faneeni put the team up 4-0 in the 73rd. Darshan scored a consolation goal from inside the box during the game’s injury time.

Nepal has failed to gain any points from its first two games. Kuwait has three points from two games after winning the first one. On June 14, Nepal will face Indonesia in the final match.