KATHMANDU: Nepal advanced to the final of AFC Solidarity Cup, defeating Laos 3-0 in a tiebreaker following a 2-2 draw in extra time at Negeri Stadium, Kuching of Malaysia, on Saturday. Goalkeeper Kiran Kumar Limbu succeeded in making two superb saves and emerged as hero for the Nepali side that would lock horns for the title on Tuesday, November 15 against the winners of other semifinals between Macau and Brunei.  As Heman Gurung, Bikram Lama and Sujal Shreshtha converted their shots into goals for Nepal,  Limbu stood as a wall against Laotian players Bounlien Bounpachack and Sitthideth Khanthavong. Chanthaphone Waenvongsoth’s out-of-target shot, however, did not pose any threat to the Nepali custodian.

Earlier, Xaisongkham Champathong made the breakthrough for Laos in the 18th minute while Nepal had to wait till two minutes of the second half to level the score through Bimal Gharti Magar’s header.  The regular time ended in a 1-1 draw and the extra time witnessed one goal each from both the sides. “We didn’t expect it to go to penalties because we tried to play for a decision in 90 minutes or in additional time so we didn’t concentrate on penalties. I was worried about our players (in the shootout) because I could see most of them had lost energy and in the end some of them had lost confidence. But this is football.”