Nepal has everything to lose against Brunei

Contrary to expectations, in a match riddled with fouls Nepal had to fight off a tenacious, physical Timor in a goalless draw in the AFC Solidarity Cup in Malaysia.

Nepal took the field against a relatively weak Timor with high expectations. Fans saw a certain victory, but their hopes did not materialize at the end of 90 minutes action under wet, soggy condition.

Truth be told, I was somewhat disappointed with the result. I reckon others also felt the same way. Overall, it was not the best of games to watch from the fans’ perspective.

I can tell you one person who was far from pleased with the team’s performance was none other than the Japanese Head Coach   Koji Gyotoku.

I   do not blame him. If I were in his shoes I would have had to digest a bitter disappointment, as well. That being said, he   could be partially blamed.  Perhaps he could have done a better job   in important areas like    team selection and playing strategy. Just   a thought.

It is unfair to make him a scapegoat.  Everyone knows success lies in teamwork, and it is all about defending well and making the most of offensive chances. On the day, the offensive line totally failed to capitalize on their chances, plain and simple.

Team Nepal dominated the proceedings for the most part and had a string of scoring opportunities. But it did not really matter at the end of the day.  I understand, it is easy for me to watch a performance and criticize   it.

If you are a true fan, and if you have serious concerns about any aspect of   the team’s performance, you are obligated to point out what the team did wrong.   You should not be afraid to speak your mind long as it is in the interest of the team.

I am aware of the fact that coaches need   not be told   what went wrong. They know   all too well.  It is up to them to address performance concerns and take up measures (which they will) to make necessary adjustment.

It is critically important to respect fans feedbacks and concerns, whether coaches like it or not. Forgetting not, it is all part of the game.

Despite the disappointment, it is no exaggeration that Team Nepal remains in title contention.  Going into the final group match against Brunei, as things stand, they find themselves in a much comfortable position to reach the last four.

Should they fail to do so, it would be disastrous. It maybe recalled that Brunei had thrashed Timor 4-0 in the opener.

The 4 goals conceded by Timor at the hands of Brunei give Nepal a little bit of cushion and advantage. A win or a draw or a 3-0 defeat against Brunei earns Nepal a place in the semi-final.

Never in my wildest imagination I   can see Nepal losing   to Brunei by a wide margin (4-0).  If I am proven   wrong, I would be shell-shocked.

Coach Gyotoku boys must get their act together and put up a commanding performance against Brunei. They cannot ill-afford to lose or continue to be mediocre and lackadaisical.

It is   clear forwards have badly lagged behind when it   comes to finishing ability. They must find their scoring touch and avoid the mistake of playing second fiddle to the surging opposition.

In addition, there needs to be more cohesion between forwards and midfielders to effectively make use of spaces and create scoring chances. Also players must overcome mental and physical   fatigue visible in the opener against Timor.

At 192 Brunei are six places behind Nepal (186) in the most recent FIFA   rankings. So what. ? They   have exceeded expectations, shown marked improvement in their performance. They are a juggernaut and know how to win matches.

I still feel Nepal starts as favorites against the physically strong unfancied Brunei. Nepal has everything to lose in this match. I see Nepal in the semi-finals.

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