Nepal playing for prestige

KATHMANDU, July 28: After a humiliating first leg defeat, Nepal is taking on mighty Jordan on Thursday in its second leg match of the second round of 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers at the home ground Dasharath Stadium.



Realistically, Nepal does not have chances of making through to next stage following a painful 9-0 defeat during its away match at Amman, Jordan in first leg on Saturday. Now only a ten-goal margin victory could see Nepal making it to next round which is almost impossible.[break]



However, the match will prestige match in from of home spectators. "We want to put pride back into Nepal and want to please everyone including Nepalis and ANFA," said Nepal´s British coach Graham Roberts during pre-match conference on Wednesday.



But Robert´s counterpart Adnan Hamad is in no mood to take the match lightly. "We will take this match seriously and we respect Nepali team," said the Iraqi adding, "We want to improve FIFA rankings as well." He also claimed his side to he one of the best team of Asia. "We are seventh in latest FIFA ranking among Asian countries and we want to improve it."



Despite the painful result of first leg, inspiring Roberts said that his target was to win the match. "I want to win the game. Though they are strong side they are not unbeatable."



However, the captain Sagar Thapa´s view was just different from coach, "We don´t have chance to win but we will put great effort with high level of confidence. Last time we were defeated heavily due to due to lack of team work and communication."



The Briton is well aware his side must put up good show to gain sympathy from the supporters following huge defeat. Unlike previous match, Nepal will have the advantage of home ground and supporters. "We will have our pitch and supporters. The supporters will respect us if we put good performance," Roberts said adding, "I wish fans enjoy the game and there won´t be any ´negative´ incident."



Commenting on last match, Roberts said, "The players are young and inexperienced and they are learning from the defeat. We have many meetings in the team and will put improved show." When asked about his expectation on Thursday´s match he replied, "What should I expect, a 10-0 win."



The coach also hinted of making same changed in the starting line up from that of last match, though he did not wish to disclose it. A couple of Nepali players and coaching staff got ill after returning from Jordan including captain Sagar Thapa, Anil Ojha, coach Roberts himself and his assistants Upendraman Singh and Meghraj KC.



Jordan´s coach Adnan Hamad also hinted of making some changes in the squad but he did not wish to disclose it. As on last match his side will be looking forward to win with high goals margin goals. "We will try to score as many goals as possible."



Jordan´s captain Bashar Bani Yassem after visiting the Dasharath Stadium said his side was confidence to put up good show in the muddy ground as well. "We have good experience of playing in muddy ground as well."



I´m responsible for defeat: Roberts



Nepali national team coach Graham Roberts on Wednesday said he is responsible for his side´s 9-0 defeat to Jordan in the first leg of the World Cup Qualifiers held on Saturday. "If we had won I would have taken credit, and I will take responsibility for the heavy defeat also," Roberts said, adding that the opponents never had to work hard to score against them.



"We conceded goals due to silly mistakes, and if you make mistakes you are going to get punished." Roberts also said he was greatly hurt by the huge-margin defeat. "It is hurting me since Saturday and I am waiting for tomorrow´s (Thursday´s) match."

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