For the Nepali side a victory over its well-known rival would strengthen its chances of qualifying for the finals rounds. A win would boost the home team´s chances of qualifying as the best runner-up from among all groups regardless of the outcome of its last match against group favorite Palestine.[break]
The home team has earned three points after a comfortable 6-0 win over Northern Mariana Island (NMI) while Bangladesh is yet to open its account in the points table after suffering a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Palestine.
Meanwhile, win over Nepal is likely to strengthen chances of qualification for Bangladesh, which takes on ´comparatively weaker´ NMI in the last match. A defeat or draw would virtually end Bangladesh´s hopes of a place in the final if Palestine beats NMI in the day´s early kick-off.
Bangladesh has a superior head-to-head record against Nepal. Among their 14 encounters till date, Nepal has won four, lost nine and played a draw in one match. The last time Nepal and Bangladesh met was during an international friendly in Kathmandu in September, 2012 which ended 1-1. Before that, Nepal had played Bangladesh during the group stage of 2011 SAFF Championship when Nepal beat Bangladesh 1-0 to achieve its first win after 1993.
"The match against Nepal is like final for us," Bangladesh´s Dutch coach Lodewijk Darius De Kruif said, hinting that the result of the match would be crucial in determining its fate. "We still have chance to qualify for the finals."
"Palestine is a superior side compared to Nepal and we lost the match due to defensive lapses during the last half-an-hour," said Kruif. "Palestine players physically dominated us but Nepal is similar to us in physique as well as standard."
The Dutch is also well aware of Nepal´s home ground advantage and overwhelming support from the spectators. "We have to play against 20,000 people tomorrow (Monday)," said Kruif.
Not only the Dutch, but also the Polish coach of Nepal Jack Stefanowski is aware that the result will be vital in determining his side´s fate as he has already accepted Palestine as the group favorite.
"We want to win the next match and it will be vital in determining our place in the final rounds," Stefanowski said.
"Bangladesh is a good side and I expect the match to be tough," said the Polish coach, adding, "My priority is to get the best out of my players. We need to continue improving and create more chances."
Nepal´s skipper Sagar Thapa is also hopeful that his side will win the match against Bangladesh. "We defeated Bangladesh after 17 years in India during the group stage of Seventh SAFF Championship and we are capable of beating them now," said Thapa.
"We will play at a faster pace than we did against NMI and we will fulfill our responsibilities as the match is vital for us," Thapa said, adding that Nepal will have advantage of home ground and local supporters.
Nirajan Khadka injured
KATHMANDU: National football team midfielder Nirajan Khadka will miss the remaining matches of the AFC Challenge Cup Qualifiers. Khadka, who came in as a replacement for Bhola Silwal in the 56th minute against Northern Mariana Island on Saturday, has fractured his right ankle, according to the national team´s physiotherapist Dejib Thapa. "Khadka has fractured his right ankle and will be out of action for at least eight weeks," said Thapa.
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