Nepal begin preparation for AFC U-16 Championship

After suffering a 4-2 tie-break loss against India in the semi-final of the first SAFF U-16 Championship on home soil last month, Nepali team will be eager to make it to the finals of the AFC U-16 Championships beginning here on Monday.

“After the the SAFF Championship hearthbreak our boys have learnt a good lesson,” said coach Sunil Shrestha. “They are committed to put their best effort in the championship.”

Nepal began their preparation for the Group D qualifiers since August 14, only four days after the completion of the SAFF U-16 tournament.

Coach Shrestha said his boys have matured a lot ever since during the training. “Looking at their progress during training, I feel we have a realistic chance to qualify for the finals,” said Shrestha.

Coach Shrestha said that the involvement of Nepal’s English coach Graham Roberts have also added strength to the team. “Roberts have been motivating the players apart from his support to the training staff,” said Shrestha. The coach said Roberts has suggested him of the possible starting lineup.

Although Shrestha considers Saudi Arabia as the major threat to their ambition, he said the first match against Syria will be crucial for them. “We have seen Saudi and Oman playing but are completely unaware of Syria game. On the contrary Saudi are a physically and technically sound team,” said Shrestha. However, Shrestha said his side was capable of defeating any side.

Goalkeeping coach Mrigendra Mishra said the experience of the playing the U-16 SAFF Championship would come in handy for the Nepali boys. Mishra said Nepal can benefit from the Lebanon withdrawl. “Now we can advance to the finals with only two wins,” said the confident coach. “After the SAFF Championship, we have worked on improving finishing abilities in our strikers,” said Mishra putting strong faith on the defenders.

The U-16 team has played two practice matches against the U-19 team in the lead up to the Championship. They lost 1-0 loss in the first match but won 3-2 in the second match against their superiors. Top two from each of the seven groups will qualify for the finals.

Bibek, Yugal axed; Umesh doubtful

Injured defender Bibek Basnet and midfielder Yugal Pandey have been excluded from the squad, while another influential midfielder Umesh Thapa is doubtful for Nepal’s AFC U-16 Championship Group ‘D’ Qualifiers beginning here on Monday.

Bibek is undergoing treatment of his fractured right ankle, while Yugal suffered a left-hand muscle cramp during training. Umesh, meanwhile, is in doubt after sustaining right ankle injury during the SAFF Championship semi-final match agaist India.

Coach Sunil Shrestha said they are hopeful that Umesh will be fit in time for the opening match. “We will announce the squad only after consulting doctor,” he said. “Bibek will be replaced by Nabin Gurung, while we are considering drafting Drona Thapa in place of Umesh.”

U-16 groupings

Group A: Iraq, Iran, Bangladesh, Qatar, Palestine, Sri Lanka
Group B: UAE, Kuwait, Yemen, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Maldives
Group C: Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Bahrain, Kyrgyzstan, India
Group D: Syria, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Nepal, Lebanon
Group E: DPR Korea, China, Timor Leste, Singapore, Malaysia, Macau
Group F: Japan, Vietnam, Chinese Taipei, Laos, Korea Republic, Cambodia
Group G: Australia, Indonesia, Thailand, Hong Kong, Myanmar, Guam

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