SAFF Cup: Sri Lanka Beat Nepal 1-0

Mohamed Rifnas scored a 90th minute winner to help Sri Lanka beat Nepal 1-0 in the inaugural match of the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Cup at the Trivandrum International Stadium here on Wednesday. (SAFF Championship: Stephen Constantine Unhappy With I-League Clubs For Releasing Players Late)

Rifnas capitalised on a defensive error to slot home. The last Nepal defender could not hold the ball and the Lankan emerged from behind to tuck it in. (SAFF Cup: India Coach Stephen Constantine Names State League, Under-19 Players in 40-Member Probables List)

Earlier, it was a bright start for the Islanders as a Kavindu Ishan cross just needed a touch from the Lankan forwards to surge ahead in the sixth minute, but none could guide the ball into an empty net.

Rohit Chand with a header then almost clinched Nepal's opener but rival goalkeeper Sujan Perera pulled off a brilliant save to deny the midfielder.

Nepal, thereafter had more possession but could not set up any clear-cut opportunities until the 21st minute. A free-kick was punched away by Perera but the rebound fell in the way of a Nepalese forward who could not find the back of the net.

Frustrated, Nepal's teenage sensation Anjan Bisht tried his luck from distance but his shot flew well over the crossbar.

At half time the scoreline was still goalless.

After the break, Nepal stepped up their attack, and almost broke the deadlock but Gharti Magar missed a sitter in front of goal.

Magar again failed to control the ball and missed an opportunity after finding himself at the end of an Anil Gurung cross.

The Lankans answered back with a few swift moves and Rizwan's free-kick almost found the top corner but custodian Kiran Kumar Limbu acrobatically fisted it away.

Nepal had to pay for their missed chances as a few minutes later Rifnas found the winner for Sri Lanka.