Despite having injury woes and lack of substitutions, Police are hoping to break the jinx against Dordoi on Saturday and pull a victory or at least a draw. [break]
GoalNepal.com, a Nepali news portal dedicated to football, reports from Phnom Penh that Police team is upbeat regarding the Saturday´s match.
"We haven´t beat them in our three meetings," NPC Coach Birat Krishna Shrestha told GoalNepal.com in Phnom Penh. "It is not that we can´t beat them. We are a technically sound team. My boys are technically fit," he added.
"Dordoi is a strong team. But I am not in a mood to lose points," said Shrestha. "I want to share spoils. We´ll play for a draw. If we win the match, that would delight us and would help us to qualify for the final round," he told GoalNepal.com.
With only two best clubs set to get tickets for the finals, Nepal Police will have to get the better of the experienced opponent and previous champion Dordoi and the home side Phnom Penh Crown FC. Also in the Group is Bhutanese champion Yeedzin FC. NPC will take on Phnom Penh on Monday and the Bhutanese side on Wednesday.
NPC has met Dordoi thrice in AFC Presidents Cup and lost all. In the 2007 edition, Dordoi defeated Nepali champion 3-0 and again defeated the Policemen 2-1 in the final played in Lahore, Pakistan. In 2008 edition, Nepal Police Club entered the semifinal and was beaten by the Biskek based team 3-1.
"In our first meeting against Dordoi, I was unaware about the team and their style immediately and we lost it," said NPC coach Birat Krishna Shrestha before flying to Cambodia. "In the last two encounters with the Kyrgyz side, we conceded goals because of our silly mistakes. I expect that our team will not repeat similar mistakes this time," Shrestha added.
NPC, which lifted the British Gurkha Cup last week in domestic football, is the weakest ever NPC team, according to coach Shrestha, because important players, including striker Rai, are injured and in-form striker Bharat Khawas left the team recently.
"The first match against Dordoi is vital for us. If we win or manage to hold Dordoi, we have good chances of qualifying for the final round," said skipper Jumanu Rai, who is doubtful for the first match because of knee injury.
Stating that Rai is not fit yet to play, coach Shrestha told GoalNepal.com, "If that is the case, Yogesh Shrestha and Bhola Silwal will take major responsibility in the attacking line," he added.
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