Roberts believes that support from the fans will turn the 11-player team to a 12-player team. “Get behind the team, help and support the team …they won´t be 11 but 12 players in the field.”[break]
Roberts is also very much satisfied with his sides´ performance during the training session. "They have shown improvement on set-pieces and their shooting ability has improved to a large extent," said Roberts who is very much optimistic that Nepal will make through to the final stage of the Challenge Cup.
However, Roberts is quite aware that it might be almost impossible to secure berth in next stage if his side do not beat Afghans. “We must beat Afghanistan to qualify for the next round.”
“Though Afghans are physically stronger, well set and have good strikers, I know some of their weaknesses and we will penetrate through that.”
Roberts said that he is focused on improving the concentration of players.
Khadka fit for first match
Nirajan Khadka, midfielder in the national football squad, has recovered from groin injury that he picked during a training session on Sunday. He took part in the training session on Tuesday. “Khadka has been recovering well and he is fit,” said a source.
According to the source, Coach Graham Roberts, who was keeping his finger crossed for Khadka´s recovery until Monday evening, is encouraged by improvement on Khadka´s health. Khadka could be in the starting line-up or be used as a substitute against Afghanistan.
ANFA ready to host Challenge Cup
All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) said the match commissioners for the upcoming AFC Challenge Cup group D qualifiers have given their clearance to the Dasharath Stadium and APF Halchowk Ground for the matches.
ANFA, organizing a press conference on Tuesday, informed that all the preparations for hosting the tournament have completed. “We have made tremendous success in making the grounds ready in three weeks,” said Ganesh Thapa, the ANFA president.
ANFA said it would spend Rs 10 million for the conduct of the tournament. "We´ll get $ 80,000 from Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and we got Rs 500,000 for ground maintenance. We also expect to raise another two million rupees from gate collections,” said Thapa.
Hike in ticket price
ANFA has increased ticket prices for the AFC Challenge Cup. “We´ll charge Rs 500 for a ticket for VIP parapet on the western side of the ground while Rs 200 will be charged for a ticket for the eastern parapet,” said Dhirendra Pradhan, general secretary at ANFA. Earlier, ANFA charged Rs 200 for VIP parapet and Rs 100 for the eastern parapet.
Meanwhile, ANFA has made security arrangements for the tournaments and urged spectators not to carry bags, helmets, water bottles, umbrella and lighter.
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