Anjan Bista scored twice as Nepal defeated Chinese Taipei 2-0 in their Asian Qualifiers Group B tie at the Taipei Municipal Stadium on Tuesday.

The win gave Nepal the opening three points of their bid to qualify for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 while Chinese Taipei are without a point after two matchdays.

Both teams came into the tie on the back of having suffered opening day defeats - Chinese Taipei were edged 2-1 by Jordan while Nepal suffered a resounding 7-0 loss against Kuwait.

Head coach Johan Kalin had challenged his players to produce a positive response to the heavy defeat and Nepal did just that as 21-year-old striker Bista gave the South Asians the lead in the fourth minute.

A stung Chinese Taipei, who had impressed against Jordan despite suffering defeat, upped the tempo of their game and pressed forward in search of the equaliser.

Nepal, however, defended stoutly to take their lead into the half-time break.

The home team were quickly off the blocks in the second half and dominated possession but the equaliser continued to elude them as Nepal's defence held firm.

As the minutes ticked away, Chinese Taipei pressed forward even more, leaving gaps behind, and Bista struck Nepal's second in the 62nd minute to edge them closer to the three points.

Chinese Taipei threw players forward in a desperate attempt to salvage the tie but it was to no avail as Nepal walked away with the points.

Up next for Nepal are Australia away on October 10 while Chinese Taipei will look to get points on the board against the Socceroos five days later.

AFC

Photo Courtesy: Chinese Taipei Football Association

This news was published on ANFA official website on 2019-09-11 and for original news link, click here