Another great opportunity goes begging by for Nepal

Nepal came with their   best   performance;   unfortunately, it was all too little, too late. Nonetheless, this was   a   truly   decent   showing   against a formidable Palestine in the just concluded AFC Challenge Cup in Kathmandu.

Without a doubt, they   achieved   a respectable and   heartwarming   result   in   a   game they knew was going to be tough and difficult. At least, they were able to sign off on a high note

The only saving grace for Coach   Stefanowski   team   was   their spirited   0-0 performance in the final match of the competition.

Fired-up   supporters    finally got   something   to smile, cheer, rejoice and celebrate. Surely,   players   can hold their heads high and look forward to the next challenge with renewed enthusiasm, determination and vigor.

Going into the final game, it was a   make or break   situation for the host. They faced   the   improbable task of beating Palestine outright and by a big margin. But to me   that did not   look   within their grasp, despite the fact that anything could happen until the game is over.

Coach Stefanowski team exercised the right ploy by going all out from start to finish, and they did it to great effect. More important, they maintained their composure, confidence, and matched the fancied opposition toe to toe.

For the first time in the championship, the offense and midfield combined well   and showed considerable life. They were able to trigger a host of   scoring opportunities but all in vain. Evidently, they were again   let down by   some poor finishing.

The defense did their part and stood rock solid. So did the custodian. Had only Nepal played with the same conviction, vigor and fervor against Bangladesh, perhaps, they would have been in a much better position going into the match against Palestine.

In retrospect, all   in   all, it was yet another hugely disappointing outcome for the host, considering the fact that they   finished the tournament an abysmal third.

Given the high expectations and   home field advantage, they   should   have done a much better job. You may or may not agree with me. We can, however, all agree on one thing: the national team needs to improve dramatically and   show more consistency, no matter what anyone says.

After the completion of every   international tournament, if the team fails to   reach the benchmark, we voice our concern over the mediocrity   and point out the glaring weaknesses   and what makes them.

This is done with the sole purpose to    remind football goers and the football body   that football is not heading in the right direction. With the way the game is going, for the first time,   I feel   less hope, more angst for   future.

Leave alone   the  whole gamut of   football development, All Nepal Football Association (ANFA)   is shying away from   their   responsibilities,even when   it comes to preparing   the team   in the best  way possible for international tournaments.   

Long as the cardinal rule of   pre –tournament preparation is neglected the team’s performance   is bound to suffer.

The evidence is   crystal clear: The national team has suffered a string of setbacks   in international tournaments at home and on foreign soil in recent years.  Fans have endured 19 years   of   frustration and   heart break, but there is no end in sight

Somebody needs to   be   held accountable   or someone must answer for the failure, obviously. I have always put the blame squarely on ANFA for their half hearted efforts to change things around. 

As a matter of fact, I have been   a   harsh critic   of   the football body for a   long, long time.  I know it makes no damn difference to them. Sadly, they   have not changed   a bit, despite everything. The problem lies within their    priorities.  Sport enthusiasts are helpless   and resigned because no one is challenging them.

No wonder they   have nothing much  to worry about.  Believe it or not!   They   have   maintained all along   that   they are doing the best for Nepali football.  

That being said, I still believe that the national team   is capable of putting themselves back up on the pedestal at least in South Asia. They   have yet another opportunity to do it in the SAFF Championship taking place in Kathmandu later in the year.

The   million dollar question is: Can Nepal restore their   lost pride with SAFF Championship glory?   The short answer is yes, as long as ANFA takes the challenge very seriously.