Nepal is to take on Jordan in an away match on July 23 and in a home match on July 28.[break]
“We are still undecided about hosting the home match against Jordan in Kathmandu since we are facing the problem of ground maintenance,” said All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) CEO Indra Man Tuladhar.
Earlier, ANFA had requested to play both home and away matches in Jordan. However, following the success in the matches against East Timor in the first round of the qualifiers as well as pressures from fans and the team, ANFA wrote to AFC to host the home match in Kathmandu.
“As the Martyrs Memorial League is going on, we still have ground problem despite our interest to host the home match,” said Tuladhar.
ANFA Vice President and Spokesperson Lalit Krishna Shrestha said that ANFA is doing homework in its attempt to host the match against Jordan. “We are discussing about the preparation of the national team and managing the ongoing league simultaneously but we are undecided yet,” said Shrestha.
Meanwhile, an ANFA source told Republica that ANFA has asked AFC to reschedule the second leg match. “If ANFA gets three to four days more, we can conclude the ongoing league and also prepare Dasharath Stadium ground for the home match against Jordan,” said the source.
ANFA had discussed with ´A´ division clubs on the possibility of either postponing the league or concluding it sooner but the clubs are reluctant about the first option.
Nepal´s national team coach Graham Roberts had clearly mentioned that he wants the home match against Jordan to be in Kathmandu after winning the matches against East Timor in the post-match conference.
Dasharath Stadium, which was deemed to be of international standard during the matches against East Timor, turned soggy after the persistent rain. The ongoing league matches are further worsening the ground´s condition.
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