The U-19 team which dominated the first half of the match took the lead with Nirajan Malla´s goal in the 13th minute. The U-16 team that made a better show in the second half leveled the match through Sulabh Maskey´s shot in the 72nd minute. Earlier in the first half of the match, U-16 custodian Laxman Thapa had few spectacular saves.
“The international U-16 teams are as good as our U-19 national team,” said Gurung. Among the international teams Iran is said to be a strong opponent according to Gurung. The present U-16 while they were playing for U-14 team had played two matches against Iran about one-and-a-half years ago in which Nepal lost 1-0 in one, while the other match ended in goalless draw.
However, Gurung said the team lacks extraordinary players. “I was looking for good strikers during the selection but none of the 130 players were good enough, so we retained the old strikers,” he added. Gurung, however, is not much worried because the U-16 teams of other countries will not have national players. Gurung worries only about the goalkeeper´s height. “Our goal keeper´s height is less so he might not be able to block high shots,” said Gurung.
The players are working hard even during Dashain. Those who live in and around Kathmandu can visit their relatives and celebrate Dashain after their training sessions, which end at 8 am everyday. Others have to stay back in the camp. Gurung said, “AFC is more important for us than Dashain and everyone is prepared mentally.”
The AFC U-16 group ´B´ qualifying matches, which will be played between host Nepal, Iran, Bahrain, Lebanon, Tajikistan and Maldives. Iran and Bahrain were pitted against Nepal in the previous edition as well. Nepal had lost 3-0 to Iran and 3-2 to Bahrain.
Among the 46 member nations of the Asian Football Confederation 45 are taking part in the U-16 tournament. Six teams each are fielded in group A to G each, whereas group ´H´ consists of three teams. Top two teams from each group other than group ´H´ will qualify for the final round of the tournament from the round robin match.
Only the winner from group ´H´ will qualify for the final round. The venue for the final round to be held next year is yet to be decided.
AFC U-16 Qualifiers Schedules
Date Teams Venue
Oct 5 Iran Vs Maldives Dasharath Stadium
Oct 5 Bahrain Vs Tajikistan Halchowk
Oct 5 Lebanon Vs Nepal Dasharath Stadium
Oct 7 Bahrain Vs Lebanon Dasharath Stadium
Oct 7 Nepal Vs Maldives Dasharath Stadium
Oct 7 Iran Vs Tajikistan Halchowk
Oct 10 Lebanon Vs Tajikistan Dasharath Stadium
Oct 10 Iran Vs Nepal Dasharath Stadium
Oct 10 Maldives Vs Bahrain Halchowk
Oct 12 Nepal Vs Bahrain Dasharath Stadium
Oct 12 Maldives Vs Tajikistan Dasharath Stadium
Oct 12 Lebanon Vs Iran Halchowk
Oct 15 Iran Vs Bahrain Dasharath Stadium
Oct 15 Maldives Vs Lebanon Halchowk
Oct 15 Tajikistan Vs Nepal Dasharath Stadium
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