Sri Lanka reaches AFC Challenge Cup final

CHITTAGONG, Bangladesh, Apr 12 (Reuters) Sri Lanka reached the final of the inaugural AFC Challenge Cup today by beating Nepal 5-3 in a penalty shoot-out.

In the final in the Bangladesh capital on Sunday, Sri Lanka will play the winners of the second semi-final between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, to be played in Dhaka tomorrow.

The 16-nation competition began on April 1 and is contested by emerging Asian teams at the lower end of the FIFA world rankings.

The first semi-final ended 1-1 after 90 minutes and extra time.

Maharjan Pradeep of Nepal failed to score from a penalty in the 63rd minute and Sri Lanka's Kasun Nadika scored the opening goal two minutes later.

Gurung Bijay equalised in the 83rd minute.

REUTERS PDS VC2115