Bounkong goal gives Laos a winning qualifying finish

Laos defeated Nepal 1-0 at the Lao National Stadium to conclude their Asian Cup qualifying campaign. The victory took Laos to six points and third place in Group F, with Nepal finishing three points behind and Vietnam already assured of qualification.

Both sides created opportunities before half-time. Bounphachan Bounkong was denied in an early one-on-one, Chony Wenpaserth hit the underside of the crossbar and goalkeeper Kiran Kumar Limbu saved the follow-up header, while Nepal also missed promising chances.

Bounkong supplied the breakthrough shortly after the restart, moving past the defence and chipping the goalkeeper from close range. Nepal attempted to equalise through Abishek Limbu and Gillespye Karki, but their efforts failed to change the result as Laos protected the lead.