Nepal expects to make an impressive start at the SAFF U20 Championship when it takes on the Maldives in the inaugural match at the Kalinga Stadium, Bhuwaneshwor on Monday.
Nepal’s Coach Megh Raj KC said the Nepali squad has trained for almost two months and thinks his sides can make a winning start.
“We are here to win, but we respect all participating teams,” he said. “The first match against the Maldives would be tough. However, we can produce a winning result with a little effort.”
“Nepal has prepared for one and half months for the championship. The preparation has been fantastic. We are here with the best team,” added Coach K.C.
This is the first time the SAFF U-20 Championship is being organized in the region. The format is introduced following the AFC’s introduction of the AFC U-20 Championship.
Altogether five teams – India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Maldives and Sri Lanka- are vying for the title of the championships. The top two teams from the single-round robin league will advance into the final.
The inaugural match between Nepal and Maldives will be kicked off at sharp 04:15 PM, NST.
Captain Ayush Ghalan is hopeful of entering the final of the event. “We have worked very hard for this championship.
We are pretty confident about making a winning start by earning three points from the Maldives. We will fight till the final whistle without taking any pressure. We have nothing to lose,” Skipper Ghalan said.
In contrast, the Maldives could not make their players get enough training.
“As most of the players were busy in the top division league, my boys have not trained as a team. Nevertheless, I am looking forward to the competition,” said Coach of the Maldives Ahmed Shaikr.
Squad: (Gks) Ishwor Gurung, Unesh Chaudhary and Jiyarath Sheikh; (Dfds) Amar Shrestha, Sonit Dahal, Ayush Shrestha, Ajay Chaudhary, Sumit Shrestha, Shrijan Dhani, Roshan Thapa and Abhishek Waiba; (Mfds) Dipesh Gurung, Aashish Rai, Sandeep Karki, Janmajaya Dhami, Mohit Gurung, Kritish Ratna Chhinju, Sugam Suwal, Mangya Nakarmi and Ayush Ghala; (Fwds) Rohit Subba, Niranjan Malla and Rohit Khadgi.
Source : TRN,
