Though age group football had better image than senior team in the past, the U-16 team lost its glory two years earlier after it crashed out from the group stage at home ground with the worst result ever in AFC U-16 Tournament. [break]
The team had lost all three matches remaining goalless, which raised a serious question over the academy run by All Nepal Football Association.
The current age group team now faces the challenge to erase the bad image brought on by the previous U-16 team and also meet the expectations of the home fans.
The event will feature Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the host Nepal.
The youth team also has the golden chance to end Nepal´s 19-year-old title drought. Nepal has not won any title since South Asian Games (SAG) held in Bangladesh in 1993. In SAFF Championship too, Nepal has never made it to the final.
However, the first edition of SAFF U-16 could be a chance for Nepal to lift a trophy at the home ground. According to Mrigendra Mishra, one among two coaches of Nepali team, the age group team is ready to throw tough challenge. "It is the first occasion that such event is going to be held," Mishra said, adding, "The second leg draw against Jordan in World Cup Qualifiers has also boosted the confidence of players."
Mishra also claims to redeem the U-16 team´s image through the tournament. "Our performance two years ago at the home ground was miserable. But we are confident of putting better performance this time round."
Mishra is also satisfied with the performance. "Among total 26 players, 25 are undergoing continuous training since last four years. Moreover, Sunil Shrestha and I are conducting training from last four months so I hope the result will be favorable," he said.
Mishra has also taken the championship as the preparation for AFC U-16 Qualifiers to be held two months later. He, however, admits that the event will also have a different significance.
Mishra has taken India and Bangladesh as the strong opponents in U-16. "India and Bangladesh are strong sides but we are not a weak side either. We have the experience of U-13 Festival of Football and Subrato Mukharjee Cup," said Mishra.
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