Members of the national football team pose for a group photo during a farewell bade by ANFA on Friday, March 23, 2018. Photo Courtesy: ANFA
KATHMANDU: Nepal national football team head coach Gyotoku Koji on Friday said that his team is eyeing to conclude the AFC Asian Cup 2019 Qualifiers with a win or a point at least.
Nepal are facing Yemen in their last match of the Qualifiers at Suheim Bin Hamad Stadium, Doha, on Tuesday, and Koji believes that the match will be an opportunity for his team to end the campaign on a positive note.
“Regardless of our form in this tournament, we want to win this match and conclude our qualifying campaign with three points. If not a win, we are looking at a point at least,” said Koji at the farewell program hosted by All Nepal Football Association for the Qatar bound Nepali team at ANFA Complex, Satdobato.
Nepal, who have already crashed out from the continental qualification race, have just two points from five matches and are at the bottom of Group F.
Nepal had managed to hold Yemen to a goal-less draw in the first leg played at Halchok Stadium in Kathmandu. This time, Nepal wants to deliver positive result against the comparatively strong Yemeni side but Koji’s side is going through a crisis due to unavailability of some key players. Striker Bharat Khawas is suspended for the match to be held at a neutral venue fixed by Asian Football Confederation while influential midfielder Bikram Lama is out of the team due to a long-term injury lay-off. Likewise, full back Kamal Shrestha is also staying back due to injury.
“We are missing some of our key players and it obviously makes the team unbalanced but we must find a plan that will work,” added Koji.
The target of winning the game or snatching a point is not going to be an easy task for Nepal since their preparations have not gone well. Koji and his players have spent only three days together in the training. As the majority of the national players were busy playing domestic tournaments, their fatigue could be one of the major concerns for Koji.
“Let alone the international friendly match, we didn’t get enough time even for preparation. Players have played continuous matches in the domestic tournaments without enough rest so they are tired. The situation, as such, may not favour us but we are committed to deliver positive result,” said Koji.
Likewise, skipper Biraj Maharjan was hopeful of young players stepping up in the absence of senior players. “We have talented young players and I hope they will step up in absence of senior members,” said Maharjan.
Meanwhile, ANFA President Narendra Shrestha expressed his hope that Nepali players would display a strong performance in Doha. “Although this match will not have any significant importance on our qualification fate but a win will bring happiness to our supporters,” said Shrestha.
Nepali team will leave for Qatar on Sunday.