Police will also be under pressure to perform in front of the supporters and to give continuity to their past glory in the event.[break]
Police finished the runners-up in 2007 and semifinalist in 2008 before crashing out from group stage in 2009 finishing at the bottom of the table. In 2010, New Road Team (NRT) represented Nepal in the event.
This time, Police is determined to restore their lost glory. However, with more than half a dozen players injured, it would be a Herculean task for the Police to overcome the Pakistani champions.
Police coach Birat Krishna Shrestha is confident that his side will start with a victory. “We will play a total football in 4-4-2 formation and I am confident that we will beat them,” Shrestha said at a pre-match press conference on Monday.
Chetan Ghimire and Jitendra Bista are unlikely to feature in this tournament while Ananta Thapa and Deependra Paudel too have slim chances of their appearance. Likewise, skipper Rakesh Shrestha, Suman Subedi and Rabin Shrestha are also injured.
WAPDA coach Khalid Butt is also eying a victory. “We will go for a win,” Butt said. WAPDA has five national players in the squad.
The two teams have faced each other twice in the President´s Cup and on both occasions, the honors were even as they played draw. In 2008, the match finished in 1-1 tie and in the following year, they played a goalless draw at the Dasharath Stadium.
Both coaches are cautious that a win in the first match will be vital for the team to make through to the next stage. “A victory in the first match will boost our morale for remaining matches and we will try to put our best performance,” Butt said.
Shrestha also echoed similar views. “The first match will be crucial in determining a place for the final round,” he said. “And my boys will put in full effort from as early as the start of the match.”
He, however, lamented short preparation for the event as half a dozen members of his squad were released from the national training camp about a week ago. The national team played the AFC Challenge Cup from April 7 to 11.
“The Police team is like a family but we were unable to train together as some key players of the squad were in national team camp for two and half months,” he said adding that Police plays different football as that of national squad.
Meanwhile, Police skipper Rakesh Shrestha who is in the twilight of his playing career, is eager to give a happy ending. “This may be my last international appearance and I want to give a memorable finishing to my career,” he said, adding that despite injuries, Police is a strong team.
SSP Sudip Shrestha announced cash prize for the team members if they win the event.
Police line-up (probable): Goalkeeper: Ritesh Thapa, Defenders: Rakesh Subedi, Suman Subedi, Rabin Shrestha, one among Tilakram kari and Suraj BK, Midfielders: Bhola Silwal, Ramesh Katuwal, Parbat Pandey, Yogesh Shrestha, Forwards: Jumanu Rai and Bharat Khawas.
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