Nepal faces stern test in AFC Challenge Cup

In less than two weeks  the prestigious AFC Challenge Cup qualifier kicks off in Kathmandu. This is   by far the most anticipated tournament   of   2012 Nepali football calendar and is expected to draw massive crowds.

Yet once again Kathmandu valley sport enthusiasts have been rewarded with a gala sporting spectacle that is going to stir plenty of excitement. It is hoped that that they show up for every match in strength and passionately root for the home team.

Nepal, Palestine, Maldives, Turkmenistan, DPR Korea, Philippines, India and Tajikistan   will battle it out for the top honor. The winner of the group will get the ticket to the final round of the AFC Asian Cup to be held in Australia in 2015.

Expectations are high when it comes to Nepal’s performance, especially following their fairly impressive showing in the SAFF Championship in New Delhi, India last year.

The upcoming tournament however is   very   different   in terms of challenge, competition and opponents, and this is going   to   be   a whole lot   tougher for us.

We   have   to   put   more   concerted effort, coupled with individual brilliance for a decent result. What is equally important is   how   effectively and consistently we play.

Should we not improve our performance, we can find ourselves in a spot of   bother.  In New Delhi the offensive line was our Achilles Heel that eventually contributed to our downfall.

In all probability the same attack line  will be retained for the competition by Coach  Roberts. Since he has to pick   players from the present   pack  the Coach is left without much choice. I   wonder how he   addresses  the grey area that  has caused  much consternation  and discussion.

The forwards who supposedly will be under pressure must step up to compensate for their lethargic and lackluster SAFF Championship performance. Ace striker Anil  Gurung  on whom the  team  heavily  relied  for  goals was  a  huge disappointment.

Gurung has to reinvent himself and retrieve his goal scoring touch that made him a household name in Nepali football. Also the other two experienced strikers Santosh Shukula and Jamuna Rai have to find their   scoring prowess .

Coach Roberts might   have fewer problems in midfield and defense, but deep down he is aware of the   enormity   of   the  challenge  he  and his boys face.  Undoubtedly, we will be challenged  more vigorously, physically and mentally.

Playing in your backyard in front of your people is a big advantage, however, at the same time there is pressure  to perform  to crowd expectations.  Although the   squad   for the all important tournament is yet to be made public, I strongly   feel   it will be an unchanged line-up.

There is not much to analyze and dissect   players who would be   in charge of   goalkeeping, midfield   forward   and   defense. We know   our susceptibilities   and strong points, however,

I will say though in my opinion it would  be  a good  strategy  to  have more  mid-fielders in the starting line - up   with the sole purpose to bolster both offense and  defense. 

Assuming that the same eleven that played in New Delhi is  selected  the boys will have to perform mightily and consistently to  impact  the championship. We are in a relatively easy group alongside  Palestine , Maldives and Turkmenistan, but that does not ensure us a  roller coaster ride.

Let us   be   reminded that the opponents   are   formidable and better prepared for the championship. To avoid reversals   we have to put in a superb performance to   be at par with them.  In tight matches ( I expect )  there is   virtually   no room   for   complacency   and   mediocrity.

Overwhelming   favorite Korea spearheads the other group comprising Philippines, India  and Tajikistan. The Koreans are obviously the front runner and it would be very fascinating   to see how the other teams    perform.

Despite   time fast running out, All Nepal Football Association (ANFA)   is still   making efforts to fix   tune up matches for the national team. This is   absolutely   ludicrous and comical. And I say   this   because   the football body    had   all the time in the world to work out an arrangement   in a timely manner.  What   a   joke ?

I do not expect this to happen,   and   if it does I will be taken aback. Also we cannot allow players   risk injuries at the last hour.

At the moment   ANFA   is all geared up   for   FIFA  President   Sepp  Blatter’s visit.  No wonder their priorities have   shifted   from the national team to   Mr. Blatter, which  in fact is  a big irony and  unthinkable.

We will have to wait and see   whether ANFA President   Ganesh Thapa and company are able to make the most out of  Mr. Blattter’s visit  for Nepali football.

My best wishes to the national team and hopefully they exceed our expectations when it comes to performance.