Nepal face stern challenge in AFC Qualifiers

The   ensuing   political tumult has created   uncertainty and confusion   in the country. This has done more harm than   good. It   has   affected all aspects of the society, including sports. This resulted in the postponement of the Asian Federation Confederation Under-22 football tournament scheduled in the first of June.

All Nepal Football Association (ANFA), the organizer   did   well to reschedule the tournament that is kicking off in the third week of June (16th).

When the 2012 qualifiers   finally   gets   underway, football goers   will surely   withstand   the sultry weather and the volatile political environment   to make their   presence   for the youth tournament.

The group D   competition features Bangladesh, Jordan, Nepal, Uzbekistan and Yemen. The teams will duke   it out   for   the   two spots available for the next round.  Undeniably, it will be another challenging and demanding tournament for the host.    

The tourney   will show case some of our finest would be stars of the future. This is one huge championship for the youngsters to come up big so that they are able to win the hearts and minds of national selectors.

The stakes are high for   a   majority of   players who   stand   on the threshold of making the national team.  They   must not   fritter away   the opportunity, especially to further their careers.

Yet once again football crazed   enthusiasts   of the Valley are ready to brace for   the   action packed round of spectacle. They   get another chance to root for their team. So far they have been left   high and dry when it comes to   performances and results.

All in all, it has been a frustrating, disappointing and unyielding performance by the host. Contrary to expectations, the teams have been a big letdown and failed to flex its muscles in any shape or form so far.  

Dejected   fans have got virtually nothing to rejoice or celebrate. Nonetheless, they have braved the mediocrity of the teams, and more importantly, they have stood by them all along

And, as always, on the eve of a tournament, we have high   expectations and high hopes for team Nepal.   One might argue that we are asking too much from our booters who are under pressure   to   fully perform to their potential.

I   don’t think so. When the team takes the pitch, there is no excuse for timidity or for being weak. They have   to   take on the challenge and at the same time rise to the challenge. When it comes to results, the better prepared and superior side wins at the end of the day.

Long as players put forth their best effort and still end up on the receiving end, I have no issues. I would say,” They gave everything they had and still lost”.

All along I have been sympathetic to players who are for the most part scapegoated in defeat. The matter of truth is that there will be no end to their misery under the current ANFA. The players have to live with it.

That said, a lot has been said and written about their exploits, and now the time has   come to justify the hypes surrounding them. The boys must show appetite for success and play their hearts out.

Nepal goes into the tournament, aiming to end “Dasarath Rangasala “jinx. Almost half the side is packed with national players in the likes of Rohit Chand, Bharat Khawas, Sujal Shrestha, Rabin Shrestha and Jagjeet Shrestha.

I   strongly feel the host   should be good enough to make an impression, considering the home advantages they enjoy. Undoubtedly,Jordan and Uzbekistan are strong favorites but are beatable.

Head   Coach Krishna Thapa is cautiously   confident about the team’s chances. He   concedes that they face formidable opponents in Jordan and Uzbekistan and are extra focused on Yemen and Bangladesh.

It would be a huge mistake to   underestimate   the strength   of Yemen and Bangladesh. They   may be   better prepared for the competition   than we think, and they deserve respect.

The team’s build-up to the tournament   has been nothing out of the ordinary. This does not surprise me at all. The football body   preference to train the team at home might backfire eventually. Hopefully it does not happen.

Getting off to a good start is crucial and a must for coach Thapa and his boys to get going. They   have to   play solidly   throughout to keep themselves in the mix. For now   just   keep your fingers crossed and   let us hope for the best.