Nepal booked their place in the semi-finals of the SAFF U-19 Championship with a dominant 4-1 victory over Maldives at the Dasharath Stadium on Monday.

Samir Tamang scored twice, while Prashant Laksham and Nirajan Dhami added one goal each for Nepal. Adam Layan Rashid scored the consolation goal for Maldives.

Both teams were reduced to 10 men in the 34th minute after Nepal’s Sujan Dangol and Maldives’ Mohammad Ian Hassan were sent off for a clash.

But the home side were undeterred and continued to press forward. They got their first goal in the 17th minute through Laksham, who curled a long-range shot into the top corner.

Nepal doubled their lead in the 30th minute through Tamang, who tapped home from close range after being set up by Dhami.

Maldives pulled a goal back in the 57th minute through Rashid, but Nepal restored their two-goal advantage in the 87th minute through Laksham.

Tamang then sealed the win for Nepal in injury time with his second goal of the game.

Nepal will now face the winners of Group B in the semi-finals on Thursday.