Bimal’s hat-trick inspires Nepal to 3-1 win over Bhutan in SAFF U19 opener

Skipper Bimal Gharti Magar scored three goals as Nepal romped to a 3-1 win against Bhutan in the inaugural match of 1^st SAFF U-19 Championship 2015.

Bimal’s hat-trick inspires Nepal to 3-1 win over Bhutan in SAFF U19 opener

In the inaugural match of the 1^st SAFF U1-9 Championship 2015, Nepal defeated Bhutan by 3-1 to register three points in Group A. Nepal looked to be in control of the match from early on as Bimal Gharti Magar opened the scoring in 9^th minute of the match. Bimal’s sprinting ability was put on test against the center back but he outpaced the defender to slot the ball home with a low shot with his stronger left towards the far right corner. Hardly a minute had passed and Nepal conceded an equalizer as Bhutan’s Sonam Tobgay scored from a quick attack after the restart. Tobgay’s attempt on 11^th minute beat the goalie who had easy day after that between the sticks.

The match was running on 30th minute when Bimal put Nepal front with another goal from same position. Except for this time, there were defenders ahead of him and his low drive beat them as well as the goalie to put goals up front. Bhutan pressed Nepal late on first half but failed to result end product and trailed 2-1 to Nepal in the first half.

The second half was completely different to the first as Nepal dominated the possession as well as attack. The continuous attack finally paid off as Tej Lama’s long ball from the midfield was brilliantly shot to far post in half volley by Bimal. The shot beat goalkeeper with swerve and Bimal celebrated his hat-trick in style on the 62^nd minute. Soon after, Nepal were awarded a penalty as Bishwas Shrestha was brought down by goalkeeper Tobgay inside the box. Bimal stepped up to take the spot kick but his low shot to the left went inches wide from the target.

Bimal continued to show his presence in the attacking third by forcing a couple of saves as well as creating chances. No goals followed then and Nepal were in the driving seat as the final whistle blew.

Speaking on the post match press conference, Bhutan’s Head Coach Chokey Nima was not happy with his team’s performance. Nima said that his team were playing better in the first half but could not cope up with Nepal’s tempo thereafter. “Nepalese striker were very pacy and we couldn’t stop them”, Nima ended.

Winning coach Bal Gopal Maharjan was not happy with the performance as he expressed his disappointment over players’ performance. “Looking at the matches we played and training we did, this is very below par performance and it will be very hard to win tournament with such performance”, Maharjan added. Answering one of the queries about Bimal’s playing style in final third, the coach said that he has no complaints on his skipper’s role. “Forwards are bound to take the shot on when they are one vs one in final third, even if the build up includes multiple players, he has right to take the shot on, be it goal, saved or a miss”, Maharjan ended.

Hat-trick hero Bimal Gharti Magar had mixed feelings over his performance. “I am happy that I got a hat-trick to take my team beyond the finishing line but it could have been even better if the penalty had gone in”, Magar said.