In the SAFF Championship held in Dhaka in 2009, Nepal had played a 1-1 draw against the Maldives in its very first match of the group stage at Bangabandhu Stadium. Nepal was defeated 1-0 by India but it overcame newcomer Afghanistan 3-0. But the result was insufficient for Nepal to make it to the knockout stage. [break]
During the Dhaka SAFF, Jumanu Rai had hit the equalizer against the Maldives in the 67th minute to cancel the lead taken by Ahmed Toriq six minutes earlier.
In the words of national midfielder Raju Tamang, "We unfortunately conceded in counter attack. Nepal had conceded goal in a counter attack promptly after Rai´s strike in the Maldives post rebounded off the goalie and cleared by a Maldivian defender."
Both Maharjan and Tamang were the key members of the Nepali squad and had played full time against the Maldives. The duo is named in the final list of Nepali team declared by British coach Graham Roberts on Friday and is likely to be named in the starting line-up in Nepal´s opening match.
"We will try not to commit such mistakes in the future," echoed Maharjan and Tamang, adding, "The tournament is an opportunity as well as a challenge for the team and the whole team is eager to end Nepal´s title drought in the international arena. The first match is always vital for the team and we will put in all our efforts to achieve victory against the Maldives."
They players were speaking in context of Nepal´s opening match against the Maldives in South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) championship to be held in New Delhi from December 2-11. Nepal will play against the Maldives, Bangladesh and Pakistan in group stage matches.
Since 1984, Nepal has played 10 international matches against the Maldives. Among them, Nepal has lost four, won three and played draw in three matches.
The best result Nepal ever achieved in the SAFF was during the Goa SAFF in 1999. On that occasion, it made it to the semifinals but was knocked out of the tournament 2-0 by the Maldives. The last time Nepal defeated the Maldives was in the Eight SAF Games in 1999. Nepal had defeated the Maldives 2-1.
Now, there are only five changes compared to the previous squad of SAFF Championship. Jagjeet Shrestha, Sujal Shrestha, Bharat Khawas, Deepak Bhusal and Bikash Singh Chhetri are the new faces in the squad. Likewise, Yogesh Shrestha, Bishan Gauchan, Rakesh Shrestha, Chetan Ghimire and Anjan KC of the previous squad are not in the current one.
Not only the players but also coach Graham Roberts is optimistic of getting positive results in the SAFF. "The first match is the most vital for the team. Victory in the match could make it easy for us to get into the final and also boost the confidence of the team," said Roberts.
"All the players are in a good shape and cent percent fit. We are confident of beating the Maldives. We will close down the opponents. We will not let them hold and play in aggressive style. I know how they play. Maldives has good midfielders. I have got a strategy to play against them," Roberts told Republica.
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