Five Coaches, new look team, but same old result for Nepal

Nepal’s challenge in the ongoing South Asian Football Federation Championship   was short-lived, following two consecutive defeats much to its fans’ chagrin.

They had opportunities to prove themselves and had the best ever chance to reach the semi-finals, but their efforts were all in vain at the end.

Nepal is back into uncertain territory after the latest debacle. Ostensibly, it was a massive disappointment for fans that expected a much better performance from the new look team.

Losing against Sri Lanka in the opener proved to be the turning point in Nepal’s early elimination from the championship.  

Everybody agrees that Nepal conceded the match they should have won handily. There simply can be no excuse for a defeat like that.

As a result, the team was under intense pressure to perform well and deliver the result going into the decisive match against India.

In a must win situation, however, Nepal fell flat, especially in the second-half in Trivandrum, India, despite a promising start.

Nepal packed with talented debutants got off to an explosive start   after Bimal Gharti Magar found the net in the third minute of the game.

As the two teams appeared to be evenly matched in the first 45 minutes of action, India, however, ran away with a 4-1 victory in the second half, thus   making the affair look lopsided.

 Nepal had their best moments in the first half. They played   aggressively, confidently and made good plays.

It was very important for them to be in control of the proceedings   and maintain the tempo and pace till the final whistle, which they failed to do so.

Instead they got overwhelmed by the opponent’s aggression and had no answers to their quick goals.

On the day, India’s sensational 18-year-old Lalllianzuala Chhangte who scored two goals stole the limelight. His goals sealed the victory for his team. The first goal a curler off his left foot from the edge of the box was a gem.

A series of defensive errors, the failure to regroup from conceding goals, the inability to handle pressure and initiate counter attacks, coupled with   fragile offense and absence of quality playmakers attributed to Nepal’s loss.

Admittedly, Nepal’s talented debutants   are silver lining in disappointment. They performed well and displayed a lot of promise. Anjan Bista had an outstanding tournament and was pick of the pack.

Hard to believe that the current team manned by the new head coach Patrick Aussems and four home born coaches Hari Khadka, Bal Gopal   Maharjan, Dhurba KC and Upenedra Man Singh, achieved nothing.

This group is by far   the largest contingent of coaches attached to the national team, but they totally failed to serve the purpose, they were intended for and made no sense whatsoever. It has proved only to be a dog and pony show.

Nepal entered the tournament for the umpteenth time inadequately and improperly prepared. Furthermore, they were denied quality tune up matches. They trained at home under woeful conditions and played one friendly against Bangladesh.

Coaches are well aware of what it takes to be successful at the regional level football and beyond. Sadly, they did virtually nothing to persuade All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) to plan   a well thought out   training program, including quality international exposure to players

Doomed by poor preparation Team Nepal has suffered and suffers ignominious decline.  The shameless jokers at ANFA continue to shame football by ignoring their duties and responsibilities.

They are making the same mistakes because they refuse to learn from their mistakes. These undeserving officials must go or kicked out. Otherwise, the systemic problems in Nepali football will only continue to grow further.

Placing the onus on the players is not fair. They are always the scapegoats and   have no choice but play. The reality is that ANFA’s detrimental policies are damaging football and players’ career. All of this has to end.