Having already won the Gurkha Cup in the capital and the King´s Cup in Bhutan, MMC is eager to add the Safa Pokhara Cup trophy to its cabinet. "We are all ready to clinch a title hat-trick by lifting the Safal Pokhara Cup trophy and giving continuity to our winning run," said MMC coach Hemanta Ale.[break]
"We have made good preparations and the players are also confident. Thus we are optimistic of lifting the title," said Ale, whose other aim besides a title hat-trick is to defend the title.
Ale has a bunch of experienced players in his side to strengthen his conviction. "We have a strong defense line-up and efficient forwards. All players in the squad are equally efficient," said Ale.
He said the experienced Anil Gurung will form an attacking pair with Deepak Rai while Shiva Shrestha, Sulav Maskey, Sujal Shrestha and Rupesh KC are likely to constitute the midfield. Similarly, national captain Sagar Thapa will take charge of the defense line-up along with the African duo of Shaheed Aziz and Leonel Stephen. Bishal Shrestha will be the goalkeeper.
MMC had defeated Three Star 1-0 when the teams last met during the semifinals of the Gurkha Cup some five months ago. Three Star has taken the match as an opportunity to avenge the defeat.
The match will be an opportunity as well as a challenge for Anjan KC, who has taken charge as head coach for the first time in a tournament.
"It is a golden opportunity for us to avenge the defeat suffered in the Gurkha Cup," said Anjan KC, promoted to head coach recently after the resignation of Pradip Humagain.
"Though we were defeated in the Gurkha Cup, we had defeated them in one match of the league and drawn another, so we need not worry much," said KC, who described MMC as a strong opponent.
"MMC is not an easy opponent for us and I expect the match to be tough and competitive," said KC. Like his counterpart, KC said he was optimistic of winning the title as his side was studded with good players.
Three Star has over half a dozen Nepali internationals in its team. Nepali international Santosh Sahukhala and prolific striker African Leonce Dodoz will form the attacking pair. The presence of three Nepali internationals -- Biraj Maharjan, Sabindra Shrestha, Sandip Rai -- will boost the defense line-up that also includes Saroj Dahal. Influential wingers Jagjeet Shrestha and Prakash Budhathoki will also be key players for Three Star.
However, coach KC was also of the opinion that whichever team grabs the opportunity at the right moments will win the title. "Both the teams have equal chances of winning. Whichever team makes fewer mistakes is likely to win," KC said, adding that he has already planned a different strategy in defense against MMC.
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