Booters lose chance to make the final of SA Games

Hosts Nepal beat Bangladesh 1-0 to secure their place in the final of South Asian Games 2019.

The loss also eliminated any chance of a strong and fancied Bangladesh football team of making the final and vying for a gold medal in the tournament.

Sunil Bal scored for Nepal in the 11th minute, utilising a pass from skipper Sujal Shrestha. 

Bangladesh got many chances in the game but failed to put the ball in the net.

In the 95th minute, Bangladesh skipper Jamal Bhuiyan couldn't control his temper and the got marching orders from the referee as one of Nepal's player was wasting time by keeping the ball.

Jamie Day, a frustrated Bangladesh head coach pointed many things that went awry in the post-match press conference.

He explained that he had made his feelings very clear about what needs to be done now. He added, "The players needed rest. If we can look after our players, follow the correct steps to ensure the welfare of players, we could expect progress in the future."

Earlier, Bangladesh lost to Bhutan in the opening game. Then they drew with Maldives and finally won their first match of the SA Games 2019 against Sri Lanka yesterday.

Today's match was a virtual semifinal as Nepal and Bangladesh both were on five points in Group A. Technically Nepal was in a better position as they had a better goal difference than Bangladesh. 

Bangladesh football federation (BFF) also announced a reward of cash prize 34 lakh taka if they could qualify for the final.

Abu Nayem Shohag, BFF General Secretary also said: "If they (the team) wins gold then the amount will increase. He said that this announcement of rewards might boost them up.

Unfortunately Bangladeshi players couldn't make it.