Nepal is planning to take a risk with an experimental line-up by including new players during the friendly at Maharastra's Balewadi Stadium, trusting in the potential of new players who are quicker than the ageing players of the national squad, according to Coach Dhruba KC.Coach KC, who replaced Poland-born American Jack Stefanowski as the national team coach in mid-July, said during a training session at the Dasharath Stadium on Wednesday that he wanted to take a risk against India.
"I have been following the Nepali team for a long time and I know that new players of the team are agile as compared to the old faces. Their playing style, speed and movement are all quick. So we will feature only one or two old faces," informed coach KC. Nepal has 25 players in the squad.
The match against India will be the first official match for KC, who is expecting to win the encounter as his side is all prepared physically and tactically.
Nepal has a poor record against India with just two wins in 17 matches. Three of them were drawn while Nepal has lost 12 matches against the regional powerhouse, India.
However, coach KC is hopeful that his young squad will turn the tide in their favor.
The match is crucial for Nepal as a victory over India will help the visitors improve their FIFA Ranking.
It will also boost the morale of the players ahead of the SAFF Championship, which is scheduled to be held in Trivandrum, the capital city of South Indian state of Kerala, from December 23, 2015 to January 2, 2016.
"A win over India could be a morale-booster for Nepali players," said KC.
According to coach KC, Nepal is preparing according to the weather conditions of India, where the climate is expected to be humid.
"We are conducting trainings in the morning as well as in the rain and muddy field," added KC.
Nepali players have often produced disappointing results in major events despite playing good game. Nepal's major setback is its inability to score goals in international events. Nepal has not scored a single goal in the last nine matches since it lost to Afghanistan 1-0 in the semifinals of the SAFF Championship held in Nepal in 2013.
"We are focusing on good finishing as the team has failed to score goals in most of the recent matches. Attacking part is also our concern along with defense as we play total football. We focus on mid-field too," said KC.
Coach KC is planning to adopt an attacking approach by sending the ball to the opposition's danger zone within three seconds after getting the ball in order to put pressure on the opponents.
"We have been preparing the team in such a way where Nepal will send the ball to the opposition's danger zone within three seconds. Such a game will help the team keep the opposition under pressure," he said.
The last time Nepal played against India was during the FIFA World Cup Preliminary Qualifiers in March, which it lost 2-0 in the away match and played a goalless draw in the home match.
Related story
Data for public policy
