PHNOM PENH: A brace by Jumanu Rai helped Nepal overcome Macau 3-2 in
the AFC Challenge Cup Group D qualifiers here at the National Olympic
Stadium on Saturday.
Captain Che Chi Man gave Macau a surprise lead from the spot in the
27th minute only to see Sandip Rai restore the parity two minutes from
the breather.
Jumanu gave Nepal a 2-1 lead in the 57th minute but Chan Kin Seng
equalised for Leung Sui Wing’s side two minutes later. Jumanu found the
match-winner for the 2006 semi-finalists in the 65th minute.
German Thomas Flath’s charges would aim to seal the place in the Finals
when they take on hosts Cambodia on May 26 while Cambodia will take on
Macau in the final group game two days later.
Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, defending champions Tajikistan have already
confirmed their berths for the second edition of the main competition
which takes place in Hyderabad, India (July 30-August 10) for which
hosts India, DPR Korea, Myanmar and Turkmenistan have direct entry.