Nepal take on India in the SAFF U-16 Football Championship semi-finals here at the Dasharath Stadium on Monday. Both the teams will be high in confidence following resounding victories in their last group matches. While Nepal hammered whipping boys Sri Lanka 6-0 to make it to the last four, India hammered Maldives 5-0 to enter the semi-finals. The only difference between the two sides is that Nepal pipped Bangladesh to top Group ‘B’ while India finished second behind Pakistan in Group ‘A’.
Both the teams overcame their disappointing start to the championship and look to carry on with the momentum which helped them cruise to the semi-finals. Nepal had opened their campaign with a goalless draw against Bangladesh while India fell 1-0 to Pakistan. Nepal were forced to share a point with Bangladesh despite making numerious attempts on goal while India also had fair number of opportunities against Pakistan but were unable to score.
Nepal will take heart from the fact that four of their players found back of the net against Sri Lanka. While Suman Lama and Rishi Pithakoti struck a brace each, Rungri Hang Rai and Bishwas Shrestha were also on the scoresheet on Saturday.
Similarly the Indian team also boosts the same confidence as the home team after four of their boys — Laldant Sanga (brace), Daniel Lalhlimuia, Raja Rawat and Prokash Majumdar — were on the scoresheet. Nepal, however, have an advantage of playing on their home turf with thousand of fans cheering for them.
The match between Nepal and India can be expected to be competitive as both the teams are vying to lift the trophy of the first edition.
Nepal has played only once against India in the age group in the past. The match, which was played six years ago, had ended in a 1-1 draw. Nepal will have the advantage of home ground and home crowd while the well-built Indian team will have the physical advantage over the home team.
Meanwhile, Group ‘A’ winners Pakistan will play Group ‘B’ runners-up Bangladesh in the first semi-final match at the Dasharath Stadium. The only team to have 100 per cent winnng record, Pakistan come into the semi-finals with 1-0 win over India and 6-0 mauling over Maldives riding on four goals from Mohammed Bilal.
Nepal has played only once against India in the age group in the past. The match, which was played six years ago, had ended in a 1-1 draw. Nepal will have the advantage of home ground and home crowd while the well-built Indian team will have the physical advantage over the home team.
Meanwhile, Group ‘A’ winners Pakistan will play Group ‘B’ runners-up Bangladesh in the first semi-final match at the Dasharath Stadium. The only team to have 100 per cent winnng record, Pakistan come into the semi-finals with 1-0 win over India and 6-0 mauling over Maldives riding on four goals from Mohammed Bilal.
Apart from the goalless draw with the home side, Bangladesh hammered Sri Lanka 6-2. Bangladesh will be counting on Mohammed Mezbahuddin, who struck a hat-trick against Sri Lanka, to upset Pakistan.
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