Big Challenge awaits Nepal in AFC Challenge Cup

Come March 2^nd Head   Coach   Jack Stefanowski leads an under-performing   national football team of Nepal in the AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers in Kathmandu.

Things are looking far from rosy for the newly hired American coach.  No question, he certainly faces   an uphill task. He just has to hope that Team Nepal performs way beyond   expectations.

With the recent   spate of poor results, there   is   a   genuine cause for concern. In the last three international   tournaments the   team   looked thin, very ordinary and struggled mightily.

Statistics clearly show that they are   a struggling lot and left with plenty of obstacles they will have to overcome.  They have scored just once, failed   to cash in on home advantages and slipped down in   FIFA rankings (I give little significance to rankings).

Nepal’s suspect   offensive line is   her Achilles Heel. Also the inconsistency   and sluggish   play on part of midfielders   is  another worry for   Coach Stefanowski. The midfielders   have   failed to ignite the much needed spark, energy and creativity.

The success of a team largely hinges on the effectiveness of its midfielders, but even more so for Nepal.  Not forgetting that a consistent, reliable and innovative   midfielder is the cornerstone   of a football team.

Then there is the   physical aspect they have to overcome offensively and defensively. Their struggle   against   big and physically dominant opposition was evident against Pakistan. It is very important that they maintain the physical and mental stamina to perform against   such teams.

Nepal’s setback  against Pakistan in two friendly matches brought more woes for the  head coach’s. The disappointment  serves as a   grim reminder of the team’s vulnerability and unpredictability.

It is very obvious that when it comes to timely, proper and effective preparation for international competition, ANFA has been a big letdown most of the time. This time is no exception either.

The build up for the important AFC Challenge Cup has been pathetic. All we have witnessed is the team going through the regular regimen at the preparatory camp.

As part of the final preparation, the team   is scheduled to play against the outfit comprising players from the African continent currently playing for Kathmandu based clubs. Evidently, the head coach had no choice. To me, this makes little sense.

ANFA had plenty of time to organize and plan well in advance a handful   of quality friendly matches outside the country. As usual, they thought otherwise, and, unfortunately, their priorities seem to lie elsewhere

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They chose lowly Pakistan for the friendly matches at home. Of the four teams, Nepal is the most poorly prepared team, undeniably.

Despite everything, I still believe the host can turn the tables if they perform their best and make the most of home advantages.

Palestine, the highest FIFA ranked team in the competition   start as clear   favorites.They are a very   big, physical and talented outfit. They have shown remarkable improvement, and more important, they   have been playing exceedingly well, lately.

Nepal beaten by Palestine not long ago at home has to play   flawless   football to stand an outside chance.  A draw would be a fantastic result   for the host.

Coach Stefanowski boys start against debutant Northern Mariana Islands, and it is imperative that they get off to a very convincing and dominating win.

The Islanders, does carry the tag of being the minnows but it would be a mistake to under estimate them. They have seriously prepared themselves for the competition, and they are ready to prove themselves, in some form or other.

As a matter of fact, they have nothing to lose and   I   expect them to go all out to make a first good impression.

The host is locked in an intriguing   but crucial battle against Bangladesh. The last time Nepal and Bangladesh   clashed was in the 2011 SAFF Championship in New Delhi, India. The famous long range free kick conversion by skipper Sagar Thapa had earned Nepal victory.

Of course, Bangladesh is    very beatable. But, the home team cannot afford to be complacent in any way, and they have to play extremely well as a team.

Let us remind ourselves  that Nepal had  prepared well for the 2011 SAFF Championship.  They took a three nation tour where they played a series of friendlies. I cannot stress enough how big a difference   that   made or makes.

This time around, however, it is a much different story. On the other hand, Bangladesh seems slightly better prepared for the challenge.

I strongly feel it is anybody’s match. That said, it would be interesting to see how Coach Stefanowski and his boys handle the opposition, seeking revenge.

It is not too early for   Coach Stefanowski  to  think about  the 2013 SAFF Championship taking place in Kathmandu later this year.

Everyone agrees that   the team’s preparation   ought to   be taken    to a much, much  higher level   regardless of   the   outcome of the AFC Challenge Cup.

Coach Stefanowski must act now before it is too late. He   must put pressure on ANFA and if necessary use forceful persuasion   to    meet   his   needs   related  to  the team’s preparation.  He should not forget  the fact  that he  is there for the  best interest of the players and team.