KATHMANDU, Nepal, March 29 (Xinhua) -- Nepal claimed the Three Nations Football Cup, defeating Bangladesh 2-1 at Dasharath Stadium in Kathmandu on Monday, with Kyrgyzstan finishing third.
Sanjog scored the first goal for Nepal in the 18th minute, his first-ever international goal, after making his debut against Bangladesh last Saturday.
Nepal doubled its lead in the 41st minute thanks to a goal by Vishal Rai. Bangladesh pulled a goal back in the second half after Mahbubur Rahman scored in the 83rd minute.
Champions Nepal received prize money of 5,000 U.S dollars, while runners-up Bangladesh pocketed 3,000 U.S. dollars.
This is the third time that Nepal and Bangladesh have met in a final. The two teams previously played in the final at the first South Asian Games (SAG) in 1994 and the eighth SAG in 1999.
Nepal won the first match and in 1999, Bangladesh defeated Nepal at Dasharath Stadium. 21 years later Nepal defeated Bangladesh at the same stadium.
In the group stage of the Three Nations Cup, Nepal drew 0-0 with both teams, securing a place in the final. Bangladesh defeated Kyrgyzstan 1-0 to reach the final.
Organized by the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA), the Three Nations Football Cup is not recognized by football's world governing body FIFA. Enditem