KARACHI, June 8: Jumanu Rai struck two late goals as Nepal routed Pakistan 4-1 in Group ‘A’ match of the SAFF Championship at the National Stadium in Male, Maldives, on Saturday.

A message received here said Nepal took only three minutes to take the lead as a shot from Jumanu found too hard for Pakistan defenders to clear and Raju Tamang easily converted the ball into the net.

Two minutes later, Niranjan Rayamajhi sent the ball over the goalkeeper inside the six-yard box to double the lead.

Pakistan cut the deficit in the 54th minute from Samar Ishaq’s powerful header, which hit the crossbar on its way into the goal in the 54th minute.

In the 67th minute, Gurong headed Niranjan’s free kick into the six-yard box and Jumanu Rai easily headed the ball into the goal.

Three minutes before end of the match, Jumanu Rai picked up a pass from Ramesh inside Pakistan penalty area and found space to send the ball into the net with two opponent defenders behind him.

—Agencies