Nepal left with uphill task against India

Once again the national football team of Nepal is  gearing up for the 2018 World Cup qualifiers against India. It will be a big challenge,no doubt.  

Is there any hope for this team? Having finally beaten India  after nearly two decades  in the South Asian Football Federation Championship (SAFFC) held in Kathmandu in 2013,there is reason for a degree of optimism in supporters. 

Will there be another encore ? This is a million dollar question. We will have to wait and see what happens. I will say though a reasonable result is possible unless the team plays their heart out to make sure they accomplish something.  

I do  not have high expectations from the team. Keeping in mind their poor track record, I am afraid that the odds are heavily stacked against Nepal. By no means, it will be easy for them to beat the odds.

In the midst of a long,brutal and tight domestic football season, the World Cup qualifiers is taking place. The majority of players  at closed  camp are yet to recover from the physically and mentally sapping  domestic tournaments, that has already taken a heavy toll on players.

To add  insult to injury, the roster is suffering from injuries to key players.The composition of the roster between  now and then is most likely to go some changes.

I am left wondering how head coach Jack Stefanowski who has been a huge disappointment is preparing  the side against India.He  has been around long and had  enough time to prepare the team ahead of the World Cup Qualifiers.

It appears though there is lack of  reasonable preparation for the upcoming international. It is no surprise. Everyone is well aware that under Coach Stefanowski  Team Nepal has achieved virtually no results. His credentials as a coach comes into questioning. 

He is able to   hold the  head coach position only  because of his blind loyalty  to ANFA, and  unsurprisingly,   he does exactly as he is told by the football body.

Whenever  addressing  the media, he has nothing new to say but  instead exudes false optimism and shamelessly repeats same old lies.

Nepali football  has been going through a lean spell.The senior team has struggled mightily and  fared badly in every international tournament in the last twenty plus years.

The  last SAFFC provided Team Nepal  with the best chance to restore pride but they blew it. The only solace they took after losing  to Afghanistan  in the last four is that they were able to get the better of  India.

With the first leg match scheduled in Guwahti, Assam,India in less than  two weeks, pressure is mounting on Nepal to get match fit for the challenge. I pretty much doubt their preparedness. 

Despite everything, Nepal does enjoy a slight  psychological edge  over India going into the match. They have nothing to lose and should go all out for  a good result. That said, it  will be tough going.

The thin offensive line continues to be the team's Achilles' heel. I am not sure how the offensive woes will be corrected. Another area of concern is midfield that is lacking intensity,sharpness and creativity.

The defense does look   sound but there is a  need to tighten up , improve speed and reflexes.

"Goal Nepal's" scoop on   the poor diet provided to players at the closed camp is a shocker and highly condemnable.

Apparently, the importance of players' diet has been under estimated shamelessly by  ANFA. It is common sense that sans a healthy diet,players cannot train hard,  will struggle to improve their play and  tire out quickly.

Where is the outrage ? Why is Coach Stefanowski silent over  the issue? As head coach, he is  duty bound  to make sure players are given proper,healthy diet. 

If he can speak in support  of ANFA President Ganesh Thapa,why doesn't he raise his voice for  players?

In his second stint as Indian  football head coach Stephen Constantine has conceded that his team has to work hard against Nepal. He  knows his team's weaknesses and strengths. He can see what they  are capable of, as well. He knows this all  too well .

Forgetting not that Coach Constantine  also coached the national team of Nepal. Although his team will be looking for a  big  win in the first leg, however,  expect him to adopt a cautious approach  in both legs. 

Admittedly,Nepal is left with uphill task against India in  both home and away matches.