Except in judo, Nepal's lackluster performance in 11th South Asian Games continued on the 4th day of the Games on Monday.
Nepal's Rajan Joshi won a bronze in 100 plus weight category in judo. Joshi won against an Afghanistan player but lost to Pakistan and Bangladesh judokas.
In soccer, Nepal's hopes of winning a semifinal berth in the 11th SAG were dashed after Maldives outplayed Nepal 1-0 at Bangabandhu Stadium in Dhaka. With two consecutive defeats, Nepal has lost the chance of winning a gold in football. Nepal will play against Bhutan next.
Maldives got a lead in the 17th minute with captain Umar Mohamd scoring from a spot kick. Defendder Robin Shrestha touched the ball inside the penalty area after keeper Bikash Malla tried to release the ball from his grip. The assistant linesman declared Shrestha's action foul and awarded a penalty to Maldives
Nepali players upped their game but failed to level the score. Anil Gurung missed an easy opportunity as he hit wide of the post in the 34th minute. Gurung had to beat only the Maldives keeper.
Keeper Malla saved a penalty kick taken by Maldivian captain. Referee Ali Hasan had awarded a second penalty to Maldives that was contested by the Nepali team.
The referee held his decision prompting Nepali players to stop the game for eight minutes. Nepali assistant coach Mrigendra Mishra was asked to leave the dugout for invading the pitch and asking his players to boycott the game. The match resumed after after ANFA president Ganesh Thapa’s intervention.