The AFC U-16 group ´B´ qualifying matches, which will be played between host Nepal, Iran, Bahrain, Lebanon, Tajikistan and Maldives, will be held from October 5-15. Iran and Bahrain were pitted against Nepal in the previous edition as well. Nepal had lost 3-0 to Iran and 3-2 to Bahrain. Likewise, the U-19 group ´A´ matches, which will be played between the six teams, will be held from October 25 to November 4.
Among the 46 member nations of the Asian Football Confederation 45 are taking part in the U-16 tournament. Six teams each are fielded in group A to G each, whereas group ´H´ consists of three teams. Top two teams from each group other than group ´H´ will qualify for the final round of the tournament from the round robin league. Only the winner from group ´H´ will qualify for the final round. The venue for the final round to be held next year is yet to be decided.
In the U-19 tournament, Tajikistan, Jordan, Yemen, Palestine and Kyrgyzstan are placed in group ´A´ alongside with Nepal. Nepal was pitted against Jordan, Yemen and Palestine in the U-19 qualifying match two years back. Nepal had lost 2-0 to Jordan, 3-0 to Yemen and 3-0 to Palestine.
Altogether 41 Asian countries are taking part in the U-19 tournament. The participants are divided into seven groups. Five teams are pitted against each other in group ´B´ and six each in other groups.
ANFA gears preparation
The All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) has geared up preparations for the U-16 and U-19 qualifiers. The AFC will not provide any financial assistance to hold these tournaments, stated ANFA spokesperson Lalit Krishna Shrestha.
“The AFC will not provide any financial support to hold these two tournaments. We are looking for sponsors for these events and some entrepreneurs have responded positively to our proposals,” said Shrestha. We have asked for support from the government for these two tournaments, he added. However, ANFA has not clearly specified the amount to be spent to conduct the tournaments.
“A large portion of the budget will be required for lodging so it will be difficult to calculate the exact amount of expenses for the tournament. We will be able to calculate expenses once we pick a hotel,” Shrestha added. Though the AFC will provide allowances for the officials, ANFA has to bear the management cost as the tournament host, Shrestha said.
Special preparation for the youth teams
ANFA has started special training for the U-16 and U-19 squad. There are altogether 26 U-16 players in the ANFA Academy and 14 more players have been selected from across the country on Monday. Dambar Gurung and Sunil Shrestha have been coaching the U-16 players.
Similarly, there are altogether 28 ANFA academy players in the U-19 squad. The ANFA has also started nationwide selection of players for the U-19 team from Tuesday. Coaches Raju Shakya and Kishor KC are training the players.
AFC U-16 Championship
Nepal, Iran, Bahrain, Lebanon, Tajikistan, Maldives
Matches
Oct 5
Iran Vs Maldives - Dasharath Stadium
Bahrain Vs Tajikistan - Halchowk
Lebanon Vs Nepal - Dasharath Stadium
Oct7
Bahrain Vs Lebanon - Dasharath Stadium
Nepal Vs Maldives - Dasharath Stadium
Tajikistan Vs Iran - Halchowk
Oct 9
Tajikistan Vs Lebanon - Dasharath Stadium
Iran Vs Nepal - Dasharath Stadium
Maldives Vs Bahrain - Halchowk
Oct 11
Nepal Vs Bahrain - Dasharath Stadium
Maldives Vs Tajikistan - Dasharath Stadium
Lebanon Vs Iran - Halchowk
Oct 13
Iran Vs Bahrain - Dasharath Stadium
Maldives Vs Lebanon - Halchowk
Tajikistan Vs Nepal - Dasharath Stadium
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