Onus on Three Star Club to deliver the goods

Sport   enthusiasts of Kathmandu Valley   have been rewarded yet again with another international football tournament starting in a couple of days.

As always, they get to rally around the local outfit Three Star Club in the AFC President‘s Cup, and hope that   they are able to bring the home team’s   dismal  losing streak to an end.

Fans’ frustration and disappointment is understandable when their side fails to live up to expectations.  Yes, we are fully aware about the home team’s lackadaisical and sloppy performance.  

They have been a big   letdown and failed to achieve   the desired result, time and time again much to everyone’s consternation. The fact cannot be overlooked that it has become a regular occurrence, sadly.

Fans, however, have bravely   withstood the country’s footballing   ignominy for very long. Nonetheless, they continue   to passionately and vocally support   their teams.

For supporters, every tournament is a new tournament, and with that, a new opportunity and renewed optimism.

The bigger question is, can the team produce the result and make their supporters   happy, at last. I will be keeping my fingers and toes crossed.

As host All Nepal Football Association of Nepal (ANFA)  presents  the AFC President‘s Cup, featuring  the champion clubs from Nepal (Three Star Club ), Mongolia (Erchim FC), Taiwan  ( Taiwan Power Company) and   Bangladesh ( Abahani Limited).

This is Three Star Club’s (TSC) second outing in the AFC President’s Cup. The first time they qualified for the competition was in 2005, without much success. .

Eight years later star-studded TSC   gets another chance to prove themselves and advance to the final round.  In fact, they have   a   realistic chance to   win the tournament.   That being said, they must perform to the best of their ability.

In my opinion the competition seems wide open. Plain and simple, the most consistent side with the best offensive line will have the last laugh. In addition, it would be interesting to see, which teams’ creates and capitalizes   clear-cut   opportunities   to score their goals.  

TSC has to realize that this is by no means going to be easy.  Both   Taiwan Power Company and Abahani Limited   are   formidable   sides with plenty of experience and fire power.   Also they have to overcome the physical edge the opponents enjoy.  

The Patan side’s victory over Kolkata giant Mohun Bagan in a friendly was absolutely a morale booster, however,   they must come up with a vastly improved performance to make a significant impact on the competition.

Keep in mind, more than half the players in the TSC‘s current roaster play for the national team.  There is plenty of depth, experience   and skill level in the team, no doubt.

They enjoy the crucial home advantage, and they have to make   full   use of it. To add, players have to put in extra effort and rise to the occasion.

Taiwan Power Company and Abahani Limited   are both strong contenders and they must be dealt with in the most   professional manner possible. The Taiwanese outfit, the winners of the 2011 edition will be looking to win their second title in three years.  

Likewise, the Bangladesh side has made four appearances in the President’s Cup and is looking to improve on previous years’ performance. As for the team from Mongolia that debuted on the 2012 President’s   Cup, clearly, are the underdogs.

Nepal Police   made four appearances in the President’s Cup and had their best finish in 2007(runners-up).  Manang Marsyangdhi Club and New Road Team   are the other teams to have played in the tournament.

The   onus is on TSC to deliver the goods, and it is now up to them to perform to their potential.  I feel they have a great chance   of winning, and I hope they come through with flying colors at the end of the day.