KATHMANDU: Nepal's losing streak against the Philippines continues as they go down to the hosts 4-1 in their first match of AFC Asian Cup 2019 qualifiers at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium in Manila on Tuesday. Nepal were reduced to 10 men as early as on 14th minute after Bikram Lama was shown straight red card for a deliberate hand ball inside the box giving away sloppy plenty in the early exchanges of the game. However, Nepal's custodian Kiran Chemjong thwarted tame penalty kick as he dived low to his left and parried to safety and kept his team in the game. As Nepal were reduced to 10 men their game plan of stunning the hosts with the results were shat@tered as they conceded three early goals in the first half of the game. Nepal were playing without their prolific striker Nawayug Shrestha in this tie. Despite putting on stern show against the hosts Nepal conceded two penalty kicks in the early stages as the hosts mounted barrage of atta@cks into the Nepal goal. Finally the hosts broke the deadlock through a penalty kick on 22nd minute. Nepal failed to impose into the game and at times looked inferior to technically and physically superior Philippines side as they dominated the possession and tormented the Nepali rearguard with ease at wills from the word go. Philippines pressing game yield them two quick goals as they scored against run-a-play in the first half. Nepal's Rohit Chand chips a delightful ball to Robin Shrestha, who timed his run to perfection, nutmugged a defender with a cut back to Bishal Rai, who then coolly slotted home from six yards out to reduce arrears on the stroke of first half. A minutes later Nepal's Robin Shrestha dazzled on the left flank, turned the defender inside out before drawing a routine save from the Philippines goalkeeper to earn a corner kick for Nepal. Philippines nearly extended their lead following a Nepal's corner kick, a lightening break at the other end nearly put through a striker to goal before a Nepali defender intercepted with a fine tackle. Nepal started second half brightly putting men forward in search of second goal, on 67th minute Nepal's midfielder Rohit Chand unleashed a left footed pile driver from distance as a ball dipped and swiveled just over the cross bar. Soon after the hosts restored their three goal cousin as a fine move down the left flank, carved open Nepali defense, as the unmarked striker slotted a fourth goal just outside the box to the right corner beyond full stretch diving Kiran Chemjong. Nepal were pegged back in their own half in the second half, but produced some breathtaking counteratt@acks despite numerical disadvantage which the Philippines defender thwarted with ease. Nepal pushed men forward in the dying minutes of the game in search of away goals but to no avail as they failed to penetrate the hosts defence. Nepal had secured the passage into the third round of the AFC Asian Cup 2019 qualifier after lifting the AFC Solidarity Cup in Malaysia. Earlier Nepal were eliminated from the qualifying round of the competition. The Philippines are ranked 124th position in the FIFA world ranking higher than 46th position to Nepal. Nepal are 1-3 behind in head-to-head against the hosts with the lone triumph dating back to 1982 in the Kings Cup. Nepal have lost the last three encounters, all international friendlies from 2011 to 2014. Nepal would play against the same opposition in their return leg fixture in the Nepali capital on November 14. Nepal are pitted against the Philippines, Yemen and Tajikistan in Group F.
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