Nepal flung away the tag of 'minnows' imposed on them when they played a superb football in Mascot on Monday night to hold Asian giants Oman to 2-0 in the first leg WC 2010 preliminary qualifiers.

Nepal limited Oman to two goals of the early first half and played even offensive against Gabriel Calderon's outfit. Calderon's was not successful to give a big win as an Eid gift to Oman from his first home-soil match since he took over the side.

Fwazi Bait found the net in the 5th minutes from the top of his height on a corner which physically disadvantaged Nepali players could not reach to save. It was at the hands of the hero of the match, goalkeeper Ritesh Thapa, that Oman were apprized with a penalty. The second goal could prove a real menace but then after Nepal played a spirited game with counter attacks and attempts for good moves.

Coach Shyam Thapa was enthralled with the players' performance. "They played very well. The result is not worth any complaint though it was a loss. We needed a dignified result that we got," he told socceragenepal.com.np immediately after the match.

The match was the concerted battle of the whole team though it was always difficult for the inexperienced and low profile side to penetrate the defense of giants who had Al Habsi, the goalkeeper of Premiership side Bolton Wanderers, guarding the post. Anil and Jumanu could not come at par with the expectations from a striker. They had no way but to wind around the giant Omani defenders. Nepal improved midfield replacing Tashi Chhiring with Rajesh and the real good invention in the last minutes was using Nirajan Rayamajhi up to the top puling Jumanu to the side. Nirajan proved the decision right with some swift moves and a very good long range attempt.

Unforgettable was the performance of Sanjeec Budathoki during the whole match. He was the key to fail the lanky Omani on their deadly moves on air and down. Ritesh quite like in President's Cup performed excellently and claimed credit for saving a good number of goals. Pradeep Maharjan was just lie lost.

The prospect Of Betterment

The only weakness of Team Nepal was not to play short passes and also the lack of combination on set pieces.  They just indicated lack of confidence and exposure while withholding Oman. Some real practice with better teams could have provided a stimulus and energy to Team Nepal to stop Oman. This could well be applied for the home match in Kathmandu on Oot 28.

For Details log on to http://www.socceragenepal.com.np/newsoccer/liveupdate/index.php?lid=61&mid=830&team1=Nepal&team2=Oman&round=Latest%20Match&name=2010%20WC%20Qualifier