Nepal vs Chinese Taipei: Must win for both

The national team of  Nepal  gear up for the final stretch  of the 2022 World Cup Qualifiers Round Two  in Kuwait City,Kuwait.

After more than  eighteen months,Nepal will be back in action to  play the  last three matches in Group B against Chinese Taipei, Australia and Jordan .

Prior to postponement of  World Cup qualifiers, Nepal’s  last match was against Kuwait in November 2019 in Thimphu,Bhutan. 

In fact, Nepal’s home match was moved to Bhutan  because Dashrath Stadium  did not meet  FIFA and AFC standards.

It may be recalled that they put in a spirited performance against the formidable opponent before going down by a solitary goal.

In four away matches, Nepal lost to Kuwait 0-7, Australia 0-5 and Jordan and 0-3 and snatched an impressive 2-0 win over Chinese Taipei.  

With  four defeats and one win, Nepal is second from the bottom in Group B standings.

Team Nepal, coming off a friendly against Iraq, enters the competition brimming with confidence and looking to improve  their standings. 

Although they lost to a much stronger and superior opposition by a big margin (2-6),they can take solace in defeat.

The team  can feel good about their overall performance.The two goals they scored  was in itself a big achievement.They should get and stay motivated going forward.

The positive mindset of players caught my attention. They looked super excited,enthusiastic and keen to prove themselves and perform well.

The chance to play Iraq,one of the powerhouses of Asian football  immensely benefited the team.Never mind the blowout result.

During the course of the game Nepal’s weaknesses were exposed and areas the coach needed to work on. Also the team was reminded where they stand technically,tactically,physically and mentally.

 

There is no denying the fact that there is plenty of room for improvement in every department.They must strive to improve on their performance.

The actual game is a whole new ball game.They have to learn from their mistakes and play with  purpose and renewed zeal. 

The newly appointed 39-year-old Kuwaiti Head Coach Abdullah Almutairi has been in the news lately.Since he took over the national team,he has set lofty goals and set the bar high for the team.I see nothing wrong with setting goals.

Whether those goals are achievable, attainable and realistic in the context of Nepal football is debatable and time will tell.

I will say,though, challenges facing foreign coaches in Nepal football are far from easy. Mr.Almutairi is the latest addition to the long list of foreign coaches the national team has had in the last nine years.

The irony is that  foreign coaches' success rate is at its lowest when it comes to yielding results.

Coach Almutairi drew the  ire of fans and media  over team selection,which included six rookies for the World Cup Qualifiers.

A host of seasoned  and prominent players were axed by the coach.Justifying his selection, he retorted that he picked the best,fittest players and excluded those who carried injuries.

Players selection must be strictly based on talent, merits,physical fitness and a system of play embraced by the coach.

Coach Almutairi one year contract has just kicked off, therefore,it is way too early to  evaluate his performance.

Nonetheless,he has a team of predominantly freshmen and a handful of experienced players. It will be interesting to see how the coach molds the young team.

With FIFA and AFC opting for centralized venues for the entire remaining  Asian qualifiers,Nepal has squandered the opportunity to play  their three matches at home.

Nepal’s exit from the qualifiers looks certain and should not surprise anyone.They have a slim mathematical chance to stay in the competition,but it is very unlikely. 

Of the three matches,Nepal starts against Chinese Taipei.The clash of the minnows is more than just to avoid taking the wooden spoon.

There is a lot at stake for the two  lowest- ranked teams in the group.As a matter of fact, it’s about avoiding the 2023 AFC Asian Cup Qualifying playoffs taking place in September and October,2021.

As things stand, it is a must win for both sides. Having beaten Chinese Taipei in the away match,Nepal  has the psychological edge and starts as favorites.

 

The opponent  might have lost in their own backyard, but it does not guarantee Nepal victory in the upcoming match.

Every game is different.When two  teams on equal footing meet,anyone can win.Therefore, it is imperative that they give respect to the opponent and avoid being overconfident.

Given the importance of the match,Nepal cannot  afford to relax and let their guard  down.They have to bring their A-game and give their absolute best throughout the match.

They must remain confident, positive,committed and fully focused on getting the win.There is no room for mediocrity and complacency in this pivotal game.

They will need a solid consistent performance to have any chance against the opposition.They must rise to the occasion and put their heart and soul into the game.

The World Cup Qualifiers is a perfect platform for youngsters to showcase their talent. Even more importantly, they have been given the opportunity to prove themselves on the big stage.They must seize the moment and make the most of chances.

On the other hand, Chinese Taipei are winless.They  lost  five  consecutive games.They played very poorly and were a team in tatters.

They are desperately looking to end the losing streak.

They know  it is doable against Nepal. I expect them to put up an improved performance and go  all out for a win. 

Coach Almutairi must be adequately prepared tactically with the overall team strategy and game pksn  to face and  deal with the opponent regardless.

He  has made it abundantly clear that they will play an attacking brand of football.The big question is,does his squad have the depth to embrace his style of play? Is it too far fetched?

It might  work against an opponent  like Chinese Taipei but certainly not  against teams in the caliber of Australia and Jordan.

I will  remind everyone that I am not an expert.It is just a thought. The match between Nepal and Chinese Taipei is wide open.