AFC Asian Qualifiers
Sanjeeb Bista and Gillespye Jung Karki had turned the game around for Nepal after they had gone behind to a Nasser Al Gahwashi penalty but Mohammed Al Dahi struck the equaliser in the first minute of additional time to salvage a point for Yemen.
Yemen started on the front foot and produced their first shot on target inside three minutes with Al Gahwashi’s swerving free-kick pushed onto the post by Nepal custodian Kiran Kumar Limbu.
The opening goal came just five minutes later after Manish Dangi fouled Anes Al Maari, prompting referee Ahmad Yacoub Ibrahim to point to the spot with Al Gahwashi decisively converting to put Yemen ahead.
Nepal fought back and equalised in the 22nd minute when Sanjeeb capitalised on Radhawan Al Hubaishi’s misplaced back pass to bend a shot past Mohammad Khairalah for his nation’s first goal of the campaign.
Kiran was the busier of the two goalkeepers in the opening period of the second half, watching nervously as Al Gahwashi headed over from a corner kick before producing a good save to deny Omar Al Dahi from 25 yards out.
Yet it was Nepal who would strike next, a long cross was pumped into the box from the right in the 66th minute and Gillespye stole in between two defenders to nod home past Khairalah.
After efforts from Al Dahi and Hamzah Ahmed tested Kiran, Yemen’s persistence paid off in stoppage time as Al Dahi was at the right place to turn in Abdulwasea Al Matari’s low cross for a share of the spoils.