Nepal Vs Bangladesh: Test of ANFA academy

KATHMANDU, Aug 4: Nepal is opening its SAFF U-16 Championship Football Tournament campaign taking on Bangladesh on the home ground Thursday.



The match will not only be a test of mettle for home colts but also of the ambitious football academy run by All Nepal Football Association (ANFA). ANFA is eager to lay to rest all questions raised against the academy and U-16 team following a painful exit from group round during the AFC U-16 Qualifiers held two years ago on the home ground. Nepal had lost all three matches and failed to score a single goal. [break]



"We are all ready to redeem the image of U-16 team ," said Sunil Shrestha one of the two coaches of the squad. "We are undergoing continuous training for the past four months. Players are fit, technically sound and boosted by a high morale. So we hope to start with a win."



However, Bangladesh has already proved that it is a strong side. It has defeated Sri Lanka 6-2 in its first match. "Though Nepal will have home ground advantage and home crowd our target is to beat Nepal and we are mentally prepared for that," Bangladesh assistant coach Totam Sukur Mohmmad said after his sides´ win over Sri Lanka.



Shrestha who has already seen Bangladesh play against Sri Lanka said, "Bangladesh has three good players. Our target will be to mark them and play attacking football. We will not let them play."



Shrestha and his coaching mate Mrigendra Mishra have planned to come up with 3-5-2 formation. "We have made such a strategy as there will be be five midfielders while attacking and equal numbers of defenders while we are under pressure," Shrestha said adding, "Out strategy is similar to that of the national team."



National team coach Graham Roberts has looked after the team for some days so the coaches are likely to choose his strategy. "Roberts has given us some useful tips that have lifted the team´s confidence," Shrestha said adding, "He also helped us in training and shared how to utilize dead balls and others."



"The first match will be important for the team as it will help determine whether we will reach the semifinal," Shrestha said.


Probable line up (Nepali Team)

Goalkeeper: Dhirendra Chand

Defense: Sanjay Rajbahak, Sagar Lama, Aditya Chaudhary, Bishwas Shrestha, Bivek Basnet

Midfield: Heman Gurung (Captain), Rungri Hang Rai, Umesh Thapa

Forward: Rishi Thapamagar, Suman Lama

Related story

Nepal-Bangladesh Art and Culture Festival 2023 organized in Dha...