Bharat Khawas is likely to replace Jagjeet Shrestha as left winger in the starting line-up. Similarly, forward Jumanu Rai, who came on as a late replacement for Raju Tamang in the opener against Bangladesh, will be assigned the position of Khawas, the attacking midfielder-cum-forward behind Anil Gurung. [break]
However, Nepal will adopt the same 4-4-1-1 formation against Pakistan as it did against Bangladesh. Influential winger Shrestha, who has injured his heel, was replaced by Prakash Budhathoki in the beginning of the second half on Saturday.
A victory over Pakistan is likely to secure Nepal´s place in the semifinals. On the other hand, a defeat is likely to throw the contest wide open for three teams in the group, including Pakistan, if five-time champion and title holder India beats Bangladesh in the day´s other match at APF ground, Halchowk.
Host Nepal defeated Bangladesh 2-0 in the inaugural match played on Saturday while Pakistan went down 1-0 against India on Sunday. Nepal and India are on top of Group A with three points each while Pakistan and Bangladesh are yet to open their accounts. Both Pakistan and Nepal came up with superb performances in their first matches.
"Though we lost the first match players´ morale is high and we will give our best against Nepal," Pakistan´s coach Shahzed Anwar said on Sunday following his side´s defeat to India, adding he is well aware that a defeat may stop Pakistan from advancing into the knockout stage.
Anwar said Nepal is a better side but Pakistan has the capability to beat any team in the tournament. The performance against defending champion India in the opening match was enough to prove his statement. "They played a good game against Bangladesh and won the match," said Anwar.
Nepal´s coach Jack Stefanowski, who declined to make any comment on the match against Pakistan on Monday, had said in the pre-match conference on Friday that he wants to win every match and lift the title. The Polish-born American coach has said that he expects the match against Pakistan to be very competitive.
Looking at their past records, there isn´t much to choose between the two sides. Nepal and Pakistan have met 13 times so far, with Nepal winning five and Pakistan four while four matches have ended in draws. Pakistan has won two of the last three encounters. Pakistan had defeated Nepal with identical 1-0 scores in the last two friendly matches played in Kathmandu on February 6 and February 9. In the group stage of the last SAFF, the teams had shared points playing a 1-1 draw.
Pakistan will have the advantage of well-built and quick players in the line-up while the Nepali team will have the advantage of home ground and enthusiastic home supporters.
Five players of the Pakistan squad play professional football in Europe including defender Zeshan Rehman, a former player of Premier League side Fulham.
Besides, Nepal must be wary of the quick right winger Md Adil who is adept at dribbling and crossing. The Pakistan team´s strongest point will be their quick passes and shooting ability. Forward Hasin Basir, Kalim Kullah and Md Riaz could create difficulties for Nepal.
Nepal´s probable starting line-up
Goalkeeper: Kiran Chemjong
Defender: Rohit Chand, Sandeep Rai, Sagar Thapa, Biraj Maharjan
Midfielder: Bharat Khawas, Raju Tamang, Rohit Chand, Bhola Silwal
Forwards: Jumanu Rai, Anil Gurung
Group A point Table
Teams P W D L GF GA Pts
Nepal 1 1 0 0 2 0 3
India 1 1 0 0 1 0 3
Pakistan 1 0 0 1 0 1 0
Bangladesh 1 0 0 1 0 2 0
Pakistan (W-5, L-4, D-4)
Nepal´s result with Pakistan
Date Result Events
1985 Nepal 2-2 Pakistan 2nd SAF Games (Dhaka)
1987 Nepal 0-0 Pakistan Olympic Qualifying (Nepal)
1987 Nepal 1-0 Pakistan Olympic Qualifying (China)
1989 Nepal 0-0 Pakistan 4th SAF Games (Pakistan)
1995 Nepal 2-0 Pakistan 2nd SAARC Gold Cup (Sri Lanka)
1997 Nepal 0-2 Pakistan 1st SAFF Championship (Kathmandu)
1999 Nepal 3-1 Pakistan 8th SAFF Games (Nepal)
2007 Nepal 2-1 Pakistan Int´l Friendly (Nepal)
2007 Nepal 0-2 Pakistan Int´l Friendly (Nepal)
2008 Nepal 4-1 Pakistan 5th SAFF Championship (Maldives)
2011 Nepal 1-1 Pakistan 7the SAFF Championship (India)
2013 Nepal 0-1 Pakistan Int´l Friendly (Kathmandu)
2013 Nepal 0-1 Pakistan Int´l Friendly (Kathmandu)
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