The 16th encounter between the South Asian neighbors is of big significance to both the sides. It will be an emotional reunion for India's coach Stephen Constantine, who was once a much-admired coach of Nepal. The result will shape the track for international football for the next one year.
“I have strong sentiments for the people of Nepal. But I cannot have any feelings on the field,” said Constantine during a pre-match conference on Wednesday.
“My objective is to make India qualify though I wish both the teams qualify,” added the Briton, who was appointed to lead the Indian team about a month ago.
The two sides have met 15 times in international football in a span of 30 years beginning from 1985, with India having an upper hand in terms of results. The South Asian giant has won 11 matches and drawn two while Nepal has beaten India only twice. Despite the numerical inferiority for Nepal, the India-Nepal clash has always been a closely contested affair.
In the last two encounters Nepal had defeated India 2-1 in the group stage of SAFF Championship in September 2013 but went down 2-0 a month later in an international friendly.
“Both the teams know each other very well and the results over the past few years have been mixed. I hope the match will be evenly contested,” Nepal's skipper Sagar Thapa said at the pre-match conference.
Thapa, the center defender will team up with Sandip Rai, Biraj Maharjan and Rabin Shrestha to defy Indian attack consisting of vice captain Sunil Chhetri and Robin Singh.
“I think it will be a difficult game,” India's coach Constantine said about the opponent team. “Nepal is very organized and they will come up in fighting spirit. No matter how good one side is, the other side always faces challenge when one is ready to fight. Some say India is the favorite but I don't see that way. It will be an even match.'
Nepal's coach Jack Stefanowski, meanwhile, said that his team will head to the match with confidence. “Its an away match. We hope to get some good result which we could feel proud at home. We believe that we can beat India,” he said, adding, that his sides' preparation of two and half weeks was sound.
Stefanowski said that it will be decided only on Thursday if Bimal Gharti Magar, suffering from ankle injury, will be fit to play or not.
The match will kick off at 19:15 NST and the second leg will be played on March 17 at the Dasharath Stadium in Kathmandu.
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