DHAKA: Nepal won first international title in 23 years, beating nine-man Bahrain U23 team 3-0 in the final of Bangabandu Gold Cup 2016 in Dhaka on Friday.

Bimal Gharti Magar, Bishal Rai and Nawayug Shrestha scored one each to guide Nepal to the spectacular victory at the Bangabandhu National Stadium here.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina congratulated Nepal and Bahrain and handed over the trophy to the winning team in the evening.

Magar had made an early breakthrough for Nepal on the fifth minute, while Bishal Rai doubled the tally on the 87th minute.

Nawayug Shrestha added the third goal in the first minute of the added five-minute stoppage time.

Both Nepal and Bahrain were restricted to 10-man each on the 81st minute after Suman Lama and Al Thawai were booked as they were involved in a brawl.

Shrestha was the highest scorer of the tournament with four goals in his credit. He was awarded as the Most Valuable Player. Gharti Magar was awarded the Man of the Final.

The champions received $50,000, while the runners-up got $25,000.

BDST: 1930 HRS, JAN 22, 2016
SR