Nepal derails Azkals’ Asian Cup entry

THE Philippines squandered the chance

Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup as it was held by the also-ran Nepal to a goalless draw in the third qualifying round on Tuesday at the ANFA Complex in the Nepalese capital of Kathmandu.

The men’s national football was presented numerous scoring chances all throughout the match but was unable to crack the defense of the home side. It - ter with the Gorkhalis for the last qualifying round of the top continental tournament.

It was the third straight stale- - mained unbeaten atop the Group F table with nine points built on two wins and three draws.

Fortunately for the Philippines, still in the running for the two slots to the 2019 edition of the top continental competition, also battled to a scoreless draw in the other group match.

The two squads stayed behind Thomas Dooley’s men with identical tallies of seven points.

still in a must-win situation against the Tajik booters in their final assignment—a home match in March next year— in order to book a historic berth.

The ousted Gorkhalis, meanwhile, hiked their total to two points on two draws against three losses.

Carli De Murga, Mike Ott, Sim Philippines the opener but Nepal goalkeeper Kiran Kumar Limbu repeatedly denied the Filipinos as

The visitors sustained its offensive momentum after the restart while the home team started to pick up its attacking groove, resulting in an exchange of missed chances.

A scary moment occurred for - most gave an empty net strike to a chasing Nepalese forward but the Cardiff City FC goalkeeper was able to make a clearance.

hour mark but was saved again shot off the ensuing rebound.

in the 83rd when Nepal’s sub gambled for a punch on Ram- say’s corner kick, leaving a wideopen goalmouth.

A Nepalese last line defender, however, cleared Sato’s header, and another header by Ott sailed wide to the left.

The Philippines though did not slow down its effort to score in the extension period.

With the added time running his teammates in the opposite box

De Murga was able to get in contact with the long ball but the far post denied his header, en route to the conclusion of a goalless match.