Nepal U-20 national team have suffered an unexpected defeat to Bhutan in the opening match of the AFC U-20 Asian Cup Qualifiers today. Nepal lost 2-0 to Bhutan in the match played at the Sheikh Ali Bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Stadium in Bahrain.

Sonam Jugdrul Chozang gave Bhutan the lead in the 33rd minute of the match. A lofted pass wasn't dealt well by the Nepali defence and gSonam caught Nepali goalkeeper Ishwor Gurung off his goal line and chipped the ball over him.

Karma Tashi Jamtsho doubled the lead in the first minute of the second half. Karma scored a beautifully timed volley after he found himself in acres of space on the left giving Ishwor no chance of saving it.

Alongside Nepal and Bhutan, Qatar, Bahrain and Bangladesh make up group B of the qualifiers. Nepal will later take on Qatar on September 12. Nepal will play against Bahrain on September 14 and Bangladesh on September 18.

The team finishing at the top of the group will qualify for the AFC U-20 Asian Cup to be held in Uzbekistan next year.