Similarly, India, which lost 2-1 to Pakistan in the final of the last edition, is also eyeing the trophy it had failed to lift at the same venue two years ago. Nepal had lost 4-2 on penalties against India in the semifinal then after the latter scored the equalizer in the dying moments to salvage a 1-1 draw in the regulation time. [break]
"Our only target is to win the final and keep the winner´s trophy at home, which we failed in the last edition," Nepal´s coach Bal Gopal Maharjan reiterated. "We are capable as well as confident of winning the trophy."
India´s coach Goutam Ghosh also hinted that his side will be playing for victory. "No team plays to lose," Ghosh said after his side´s entry into the final. "Though we lost in the final of the last edition, every day is not Sunday."
En route to the final, India won all its matches, scoring 10 goals and conceding four. Nepal also entered the final remaining unbeaten, scoring 16 and conceding two goals. In the three-team Group B, India defeated Sri Lanka 4-1 and Bangladesh 2-0. It then edged Afghanistan 4-3 on penalties in the semifinal after a goalless draw in the regulation time.
Similarly, Nepal defeated Bhutan 7-0 and Pakistan 3-0 and played a 1-1 draw with Afghanistan in the group round. In the semifinal the home team routed Bangladesh 5-1.
However, Nepal´s coach Maharjan is careful not to underrate India. "India is a good team and they have good forwards and wingers. They are better in keeping ball possession," said Maharjan. "However, we have good teamwork and the players´ morale is high."
Coach Maharjan also aims to end Nepal´s international title drought and motivate the senior national team ahead of the SAFF Championship. No Nepali team has been able to win an international tournament for nearly two decades.
"The win could be vital for the U-16 and U-19 teams that are playing the AFC Qualifiers after a few months. It will also be helpful in boosting the morale of the senior team that will be playing the SAFF Championship on home ground after a month."
According to Maharjan, victory over India in the final could prove to be a milestone in Nepali football and send the message that Nepal is also capable of wining international titles.
For this Maharjan plans to resort to offensive style of play. "We will play attacking football from the beginning and try to score early goals as we did against Bangladesh in the semifinal," said Maharjan, who said his side´s fast-paced game and ability to score at any moment are its biggest strengths.
India´s coach Goutam Ghosh also described Nepal as a well-balanced team. "Nepal has been putting up consistent performances in all four matches. It is strong in all departments and I hope it will be a good match."
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