Tashkent: Nepal’s bid to reach an AFC Women’s Asian Cup for the first time in more than 20 years ended in disappointment after a goalless draw against Hong Kong at the JAR Stadium in Tashkent on Tuesday.

Needing a win to keep their hopes up, Nepal were unable to break the deadlock in a relentless 90 minutes, leaving Gary Phillips’ side with a point in two matches, with the group game. Friday’s F between Hong Kong and the Philippines to determine which team will advance. at next year’s finals in India as group winners.

Hong Kong, which began its qualifying campaign on Tuesday, came a short distance from the final with the point won against Nepal, with a victory over the Malditas on Friday to end its 19-year absence from the top Asian women’s soccer table. .

Impressive despite their 2-1 loss to the Philippines on Saturday, Nepal were forced to do without the injured Puja Rana this time around, but they have retained the organization and are focused on the spectacle in their opener.

As the first half came and went without a breakthrough, Nepal boss Phillips presented Preeti Rai with 20 minutes remaining, but there was no goal to be found, ending a gallant but ultimately unsuccessful first attempt. to qualify since 1999 for the South Asian nation.

The result was much more useful for Hong Kong, coached by Jose Ricardo Rambo, who gave starts to youngsters like Limbu Shena, 17, and defender Tsang Pak Tung, his one year older.

A pioneer nation of Asian women’s football, Hong Kong was a regular at the early editions of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, appearing in 14 consecutive tournaments from 1975 to 2003, but has not made it to the finals since the introduction of the qualifications before 2006. edition.