Nepal will play against Bangladesh in the day´s early match and Maldives will take on Sri Lanka in the second match at the JLN Stadium in New Delhi, India. [break]As every team has equal chances of making it to the semifinal stage, the next match will be of great significance to all of them.
Looking back to previous records, Bangladesh has upper hands against Nepal. Since 1984, Nepal and Bangladesh has played 11 international matches and Nepal has lost eight and won three matches. They have not drawn any matches.
Nepal´s last victory over Bangladesh came nearly two decades ago.
Since, Sixth SAF Games (now South Asian Games) held in 1993, Nepal has never defeated the Bangali opponents. On that occasion, Nepal had won the match 1-0. After 1993, Nepal had played five matches. The last time Nepal had played against Bangladesh was during 3rd SAFF Championship in 2003 which Nepal lost 1-0.
Nepal had played 1-1 draw against the Maldives and Bangladesh played goalless draw against Pakistan during their first match on Friday.
Coaches take
Nepal´s British coach Graham Roberts has said that his side will play for three points against Bangladesh. "We will play for three points and I am confident that we can beat them," Roberts said to Republica in a telephonic conversation.
"None of the matches of the championship are Micky Mouse matches as all four teams of the group have one point each and the match against Bangladesh will be of more significant. However, we are taking every match seriously and come up against Bangladesh with the same zeal we did against Maldives."
According to the Briton, all the players of the team are fit physically and mentally. Nepali team is likely to put up offensive show in 5-3-2 formation. According to Roberts, there might be one change in starting lineup as compared to that of Maldives. Santosh Sahukhala will take place of Jumanu Rai as forward and pair with Anil Gurung.
The former England international has said that his side will amend the weaknesses they made against Maldives. "We nearly got about a dozen chances against Maldives but we failed to utilize them but we need to take all chance against Bangladesh."
Roberts had rated Bangladeshi football below the that of the Maldives but he is in no mood to take the match lightly. "I watched Bangladesh match against Pakistan on Friday. I think Maldives´ level is higher than Bangladesh. But we won´t take them lightly.
Nepal´s probable line up
Goalkeeper: Kiran Chemjong
Defenders: Biraj Maharjan, Rohit Chand, Sagar Thapa, Sandip Rai, Rabin Shrestha
Midfielders: Bharat Khawas, Raju Tamang, Bijay Gurung
Forwards: Jumanu Rai, Anil Gurung
Nepal´s record against Bangladesh
1984 Nepal 0-5 Bangladesh 1st SAF Games (group stage)
1984 Nepal 4-2 Bangladesh 1st SAF Games (Final)
1986 Nepal 0-1 Bangladesh 10th Asian Games
1987 Nepal 1-0 Bangladesh 3rd SAF Games
1991 Nepal 0-2 Bangladesh 5th SAF Games
1993 Nepal 1-0 Bangladesh 6th SAF Games
1995 Nepal 1-2 Bangladesh 7th SAF Games
1995 Nepal 0-2 Bangladesh 2nd SAARC Gold Cup
1999 Nepal 1-2 Bangladesh 2nd SAFF Championship
1999 Nepal 0-1 Bangladesh 8th SAG (final)
2003 Nepal 0-1 Bangladesh 3rd SAFF Championship
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