Speaking at the press meet ANFA joint secretary Dhirendra Pradhan informed that the AFC U-16 group ´B´ qualifying matches, slated to be held from October 5-15, will be played among host Nepal, Iran, Bahrain, Lebanon, Tajikistan and Maldives. 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, to be played between the six teams, will be held from October 25 to November 4. Tajikistan, Jordan, Yemen, Palestine and Kyrgyzstan are placed in group along with Nepal. Two years ago, Nepal was pitted against Jordan, Yemen and Palestine in the U-19 qualifiers. Nepal had lost 2-0 to Jordan, 3-0 to Yemen and 3-0 to Palestine.
The top two teams from each group and the runners-up among all the groups will qualify for the final round in both categories of matches, stated Pradhan. “Six different sub-committees have been formed to run the tournament smoothly,” he said.
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 groups A to G, whereas group H consists of three teams. Only one team from group H will qualify for the final round of the tournament. The venue for the final round to be held next year is yet to be decided.
Altogether 41 Asian countries are taking part in the U-19 tournament. The participants are divided into seven groups. Five teams are pitted against one another in group B and six each in the other groups.
The tournaments will be held on round robin basis.
“We have started repairing Dasharath Stadium and the Halchowk grounds of the Armed Police Force -- the venue for the football matches. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has already provided us technical manpower needed to conduct the tournament, like referee, match commissioner and match assessors,” he added.
The expected cost of the tournament is Rs 18 million. “AFC will not provide any support to host these tournaments and we have asked for financial support from the government for the first time in 14 years,” said ANFA president Ganesh Thapa, adding, “Other financing will be collected through sponsors, sale of tickets and ANFA sources. “We have also talked with the AFC about financial support; however, AFC has no provision to provide financial aid for the tournament.”
Xavier International College is the partner for conducting the tournament and will provide transport facilities to players.
Preparation geared for youth team
ANFA has started special training for the U-16 and U-19 squad. Coaches Dambar Gurung and Sunil Shrestha have been providing training to 34 players of the U-16 category for the final phase selection. Among them are ANFA academy products and others selected from across the nation after holding different-phase selection tournaments. Raju Shakya, Kishor KC and Mrigendra Mishra (goal keeper coach) are coaching the 50 players in the U-19 category. The final selection will be made from among these players.
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