Both teams will be looking for a happy ending in the tournament. Nepal has not achieved a single victory in its three previous match in the tournament. Nepal after playing a goalless draw against host India has earned only one point from three matches. [break]Nepal had lost 2-1 against Maldives in its opening match and 5-0 against Cameroon.
Same is the condition of former runner up Syria which has only one point in its kitty. Syria stole points from African team Cameroon playing 2-2 draw. Similarly, Syria was stunned 2-1 by Maldives and 2-1 by India.
Nepal´s goalie Ritesh Thapa was heavily criticized following 5-0 drubbing at the hands of Cameroon. Thapa was the first choice goalie in the first two matches in which Nepal conceded seven goals and six goals were scored under when Thapa was playing.
Nepali team looked out of form in the first two matches but put up a spirited show against host India in its third match. It was the first time that Nepal has held India. Kiran Chemjong who took the charge of the goal against India, put up an extraordinary show. Though Nepal continued to suffer from its problem in scoring, the defense and midfield line looked in top form.
Coach Krishna Thapa has also wished to give continuity of Nepal´s well organized game. If Nepal beats Syria, Nepal will stand at the same level as that of their South Asian neighbor India and Maldives who succeeded beating Syria. A victory over Syria would be a perfect farewell for Nepal from the Nehru Cup.
Meanwhile, Nepal could level record with Syria in the international football if it achieves victory. The team haave played only once in the international arena during 1988 qualifiers for Asian Cup. On that occasion, Nepal was defeated 3-0 by Syria.
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