In the 49th and 50th international match played on February 6 and 9, Nepal lost with identical 1-0 score at home against Pakistan. [break]
"The 50th match turned to be painful memory, both for the team as well as in my individual career as a player," said the 30 year old defender cum skipper of the national team. "I wish the 51st match be able to erase the painful memory of the last two matches and everyone are working hard for it."
Thapa, who marked his debut for the national team in 2003 Asian Cup Qualifiers in Incheon, South Korea, has been the key player of squad. He came as a 43rd minute replacement of Ananta Thapa against Vietnam.
"To get a place in the national team itself is an achievement. I had never expected that I could reach 50th match," said the 30 year old at the Dasharath Stadium who accompanied national team coach Jack Stefanowski during the declaration of final squad.
Thapa also holds the record of playing in all edition of Challenge Cup since the beginning of tournament in 2006. "The match against North Korea was the only match I did not play in Challenge Cup in 2008 due to hamstring problem," recalls Thapa.
Thapa got the captain´s armband since 2009 qualifiers of AFC Challenge Cup against at home against Kyrgyzstan that ended in 1-1 draw. The match against Northern Mariana Island will be his 29th match as the skipper of national team.
Thapa doesn´t have any plans to quit the national team and football. "I will play as long as I can. Whenever I feel I can´t play I will quit," said Thapa who is enrolled with the Friends Club in the domestic football.
Friends, Sankata, Ranipokhari Corner Team (RCT), Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC), New Road Team (NRT) and Himalayan Sherpa are the domestic teams he has played for so far.
"There have been lots of improvements in the team after defeats in Pakistan friendly with different style of training. If we play team game we could win and all members of are confident of qualifying for the final rounds," shared Thapa adding the home ground and supporters will be added advantage for the team.
Thapa is also optimistic that experiences he has gained in international football will be both beneficial for him personally as well as for the team. "If senior players could guide new and young players that could be a plus point. Beside this, senior players could share off the field experience as well."
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