KATHMANDU, Sept 6: Head coach Hari Khadka is hopeful Nepali women footballers will give their best at the Nadezhda Cup scheduled to be held from September 8 to 12 in Kyrgyzstan.

Nepal national women football team is set to face host Kyrgyzstan on the opening day of the four-team tournament to be played in round-robin format. Tajikistan and Uzbekistan are other teams in the group. 

For Nepal, the participation in the Cup is seen as the best opportunity to prepare for the upcoming 13th South Asian Games (SAG). Similarly, the Nadezhda Cup will offer Nepal a chance to establish itself as a top title favorite of the SAG.

“We have taken Kyrgyzstan tour as part of our preparations for the upcoming SAG,” Khadka told reporters during the farewell function hosted by All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) for the 18-member women’s team on Wednesday. “Of the three teams, Only Uzbeks are comparatively stronger than Nepal. Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are in same level to us,” he added.
Khadka said that Nepal is aiming to clinch the title in Kyrgyzstan.

“Our trainings are basically focused on improvising the weakness seen during the SAFF Championship. Nepal has got an opportunity in the central zone. Our aim is to win the Cup,” he said. “We are hoping to reach the final and upset the Uzbeks with ‘defend and counter attack tactics’ for the trophy.”

Captain Neru Thapa said her team has prepared well in the short period of time.
“If we play as planned, the title not far away,” she said. “We will assess Kyrgyzstan’s weaknesses and will do better in the SAG.” Nepal wasted its opportunity to win the SAFF champion this year after India broke Nepalese heart for the third time despite the home advantage. India had defeated Nepal 3-1in the final of the championship held in March 12 to 22. 

Nepali star striker Sabitra Bhandari said Nepal is determined to heal the wounds it got a year ago in Biratnagar. “All the players are excited about participation in the Nadezhda. Our ego was hurt last time. We have got the opportunity again in the home ground. We are hopeful to bag gold in SAG,” she said.  Nepal will face Uzbekistan on September 9 before taking on Tajikistan a day later. The top teams will face each other for the title.

SQUAD:
Goalkeepers: Anjila Subba, Anjana Rana Magar
Defender: Hira Kumari Bhujel, Gita Rana, Punam Jarga Magar, Kabita Dhimal, Asmita Jaisi
Midfielders: Manjali Kumari Yonjan, Renuka Nagarkoti, Anita Basnet, Deepa Rai, Sharmila Thapa
Forwards: Sabitra Bhandari, Anita KC, Rekha Poudel, Neru Thapa, Bimala Chaudhary, Indira Rai

 
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