Nepal take on minnows Bhutan
KATHMANDU, JUL 20 -
Nepal are looking to kick off their SAFF U-16 Championship campaign on a winning note as they take on Bhutan at the Dashrath Stadium on Saturday. Coach Bal Gopal Maharjan who has been looking after the team for the last two years is confident his boys will maintain the cent percent record against Bhutan.
In fact, he is eyeing the winner’s trophy. Maharjan had taken over the U-14 team two years ago and it is the same team that will represent Nepal in the seven nation championship.
Nepal are pooled in Group A along with defending champion Pakistan, Bhutan and Afghanistan. India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are in Group B in the championship which will be played in round robin format.
“We want to qualify for the AFC U-16 Championships Group C Qualifiers,” former midfielder said. “I am not putting any pressure on my players. My hope is based on their international performance.”
Nepal had fared well in the U-14 festival held two years ago. The same team had traveled to Japan where they had continued their impressive work beating and it is the same team that are playing in the U-16 age group.
Maharjan says the standard of his players has risen even higher in the intense training they went through for three months.
“They have displayed very good physical, technical and tactical quality giving the A Division Clubs a good run for their money,” Maharjan explained.
“On paper we are one of the strongest team all that remains is for the boys to show it in the field.”
Nepal had finished third in the previous championship.
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