By Sachit Subba • Football • Aug 10, 2025 12:15 PM • 159 views
Thimphu, Bhutan – Nepal's hopes of qualifying for next year's AFC U-20 Asian Cup in Thailand came to an abrupt end on Sunday after a crushing 11-0 loss to a dominant North Korean side in the Group A decider.
Playing at the Changlimithang Stadium, the defending champions from North Korea showcased their ruthless attacking power, taking a 5-0 lead by halftime before adding six more goals in the second half. The result sealed North Korea's qualification for the tournament, as they topped the group with a perfect record of nine points from three matches.
It was the third consecutive double-digit win for the North Koreans, who had earlier demolished Saudi Arabia 15-0 in their opener and swept aside hosts Bhutan 10-0 in their second match.
For Nepal, the equation was daunting yet straightforward – only a victory against North Korea would have kept their qualification hopes alive. Instead, the young Gorkhalis struggled to cope with the relentless pressure and incisive movement of their opponents. The defence was overwhelmed, and Nepal rarely threatened in attack. Nepal's campaign ended with four points from three matches. They began with a 1-1 draw against Bhutan, followed by a hard-fought 1-0 win over Saudi Arabia. In the day's later fixture, Bhutan and Saudi Arabia – both already out of contention – were set to meet, with Bhutan aiming for a second-place finish if they secured a win. The single round-robin format saw North Korea emerge as group winners, booking their ticket to the 12th edition of the AFC U-20 Asian Cup in Thailand next year.
