Bhutan takes on Nepal in semi-final 

Thinley Namgay  

The men’s national basketball team will play Nepal today in the Five Nation Championship in the Maldives. 

Hopes are high that the national team will reach the finals as Bhutan was the only team to beat Nepal in the league, 61-55 in the opening match.  The confidence also comes from how the team has improved and performed in the championship. The current basketball squad, according to many, is one of the best so far.  

Bhutan’s captain Rinchen Dorji said: “We have high hopes to play well in the semifinals against Nepal today.  They are a very good team. In fact, the number one team after the league round.” However, he said the team is quite confident of a positive result today and reach the final. “The success in the league is owing to the love, prayers, and support of all Bhutanese.”

If Bhutan beat Nepal, they could face Bangladesh whom they lost once in the league round, or Pakistan who are in the other semifinals today.  

Nepal topped the league with seven points. They defeated the Maldives 75-68, Bangladesh 90-61, and Pakistan 66-62.  Pakistan also acquired seven points.  

Bangladesh and Bhutan managed six points each.  Bhutan won against host Maldives 60-50 but lost to Pakistan 75-53, and Bangladesh 61-53 in highly-contested games.