EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW: Nepal U16 v India U16

Columnist: Ram Gurung

Nepalifootball.com

Nepal into the semis

Nepal U16 entered the semis by winning against Sri Lanka U16 side which opened the flood gate in the second half of the encounter. The defeated side will be playing the playoff against the Maldives after the semi finals of the tournament. As previously analysed Nepal had to score with goal difference of more than four to qualify as group winners. And they did with a G.D. of +6. Impressive performance by the team.

Nepalifootball.com on the spot 

Our senior correspondent was there to observe the match and got a opportunity to capture the moments on senior side manager Graham Roberts, ANFA president Ganesh Thapa and former Nepali senior side captain and legendary defender Raju Shakya. Check out the pictures.

Tough call but Nepal U16 may just win the title

Nepal Senior side won the title at home soil in 1984 and repeated the feat in 1993 in SAG. We haven't been able to conquer the Subcontinent in more than a decade time. This U16 team shows more courage and even more hope for the titles to come. The U16 team showed maturity in the second match by converting all those chances they made. The recent encounter was the senior Nepal side was nailed 4-0 by Indian side in 2008 SAFF cup. But in recent times, like Maldives once ranked above Nepal and other countries have been taking more damage than expected. Similarly once countries like Bhutan which conceded lot of goals have been able to reduce the goal margin. The analysis is that the countries are becoming more and more competitive and lacking at the same time. Each team reaching the semis have scored goals of 5 or more. Owing to the public's perception to India, the stadium will overflow and minute number of India U16 team and its supporters may just give up. Nepal are clear favourite for the semis owing  to home advantage. Continue reading to know why. 

Match against India more than a semi final match

Nepal has lot of political, economical and spiritual relationship with India from many Dynasties of  rulers and recent Kings to fellow Governments. Everything on the papers may be politically correct to alleviate the sourness between the countries but on the streets, it is more personal than anything. It is as personal as it gets. This is the most anticipated 'Grudge Game' and 'Derby game' in recent times. And the tensions in the public will definitely rise up when both sides meet for the berth in final match. This is U16 level and this will assess the development of each country at grass root level.  

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Why Nepal should be wary about Subcontinent counterparts

Columnist: Ram Gurung
Nepalifootball.com


Why India, Bangladesh and Pakistan are teams still a threat against Nepalese team

Nepal is on top of SAFF rankings with respect to the FIFA. But there are some issues that can raise your eyebrows. India can cope up regardless of their cricketing fanatic supporters owing to larger population. And they still have a bright scope and market for that. They have several academies, regional leagues and national leagues. So when the player filters through those ranks, they are ready to take challenge at very high level. The league in Nepal is just evolving in rapid after a halt owing to political and economical issues. Bangladesh is always a strong team in football but Pakistan are also ready to show they have something. The Pakistani football is developing as there are numerous British but Pakistani origin players in English Football clubs such as Tranmere Rovers and Porthmadog F.C. This inspires the young players and the community as a whole to develop from the grass root level. In terms of Nepal, we have unfortunate attempts regarding the players. Either we have lost our National players or the transfers haven't been successful. Nepal's first World Cup Qualifier hat trick star Nirajan Rayamajhi, Star Winger Basant Gauchan, Star defener Lok Bandhu Gurung and Current star striker Anil Gurung are some of the chapters. But Rohit Chand may change all this.

Sri Lanka takes a major hit owing to Cricket worship

Sri Lanka are a strong senior side which drew with Nepal senior in Dasarath Rangashala for the AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers but there was no metal in their junior side. The majority of the nation following the cricket may be inspiring the larger population of kids into bowling action than the kicking action. Sri Lanka U16 conceded 12 goals in two matches and scored only two. This demonstrated Sri Lanka can lose to make their senior squad stronger in upcoming years.

Limited population Maldives cannot cope up with rest of the Subcontinent 

Maldives was once a subcontinent power house has now waned among the back runners. The island country which have been feared of being drowned into the Indian Ocean owing to the increase of sea level has not performed well in this tournament. The Australian government has come forward  to give islanders the citizenship. But with this performance, Nepalifootball.com does not believe that any players might be featuring in Socceroos colours. Socceroos is the nick name of Australian National side. The another backdrop may be the population of the country with limited spaces while the country has only one stadium in the country. Maldives lost both matches without scoring one.    

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10 men Bangladesh U16 shares spoils with Nepal U16

Ram Gurung

Columnist, Nepalifootball.com

4 August

Dasarath Rangashala

The confident U16 Nepal National team has drawn against the strong Bangladesh side which scored 6 goals against Sri Lanka. Heman Gurung and his teammate squandered a series of chances in this tie. The team looked more sharper in the second third of the pitch but clinical finishing was lacking. This indicates the lack of match practice at higher level. It looks that Nepal still have to wait more time for natural goal scorers. 

Majority of the attempts taken by the home team were either outside the goal frame or straight to the keeper. One of the attempts was seen just deflected off the crossbar.This shows the team needs to work on scoring as well as game play. As Nepal misses one chance after another, the  Bangladeshi team were man down in the stoppage time of the match. Bijoy Sarkar was shown second yellow of the match. He was booked just minutes ago the second one. Heman Gurung's resulting freekick was then again straight to the keeper.

Overall, Nepalese U16 showed a glimpse of bright future. The U16 national team not only nullified the strong Bangladesh team but also dominated the match. After sharing a point, Nepal is placed second in Group B. Nepal will play its final group game on saturday against Sri Lanka. Depending upon the results, Nepalifootball.com predicts that Nepal will meet Pakistan or India in the semis.

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Nepal awaits Bangladesh in first SAFF U-16 Championship Football Tournament

Nepalifootball.com

Nepal will play against Bangladesh in its first SAFF U-16 Championship Football Tournament match tomorrow at its home venue Dasharath Stadium, Kathamndu. Nepal is in Group B of this tournament alongside Bangladesh and Srilanka.

Nepal has to finish in top two spot in order to progress to the semi-finals of the SAFF U-16 Championship Football Tournament. Nepal will play with Sri Lanka on Saturday. The first match between Banladesh and Sri Lanka was won by Bangladesh in a compreshensive fashion outscoring the Sri Lankans by 6-2.

As most of the teams in South Asia are on par with each other irrespective with the FIFA ranking, Nepal should be really careful playing against Bangladesh. The Bangladesh team really looks to have some promising footballers. Mohamad Mezabahuddin looks a deadly player from Bangladesh to whom Nepalese defenders must keep an eye on. He really showed his skills against Srilanka by scoring a hattrick along with providing assist to his teammate.

Sunil Shrestha, Nepalese Team Coach mentioned that the prepartion of Nepalese team has been ongoing for the past three months. He further added that Nepalese team has chances of winning the tournament citing home advantage as one of the factor. But one concern he regards as lack of match practice before the tournament.

Mrigendra Mishra assistant to Shrestha added that he is satisfied with the performance of the team in the past couple of months. In addition to that he also metnioned that the Nepalese junior team should take some morale boost from their senior counterpart who performed remarkably better in their home match against strong Jordan team in their world cup qualifiers. 

Let's hope and pray the junior National team can bring back some glory to Nepali football world. This in turn will inspire the senior national team to win something for the team as they have failed to win anything for a long time despite playing well in recent tournaments.

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Bilal scores four times as Pakistan U16 demolishes team from islands in the Indian Ocean

By: Ram Gurung

Columnist: Nepalifootball.com

3rd August, 2010

Dasrath Rangasala

Muhammad Bilal not only became the second ever to score a hat trick in the SAFF U16 championships but also became the first ever to score four goals in a match. The another winger Sher Ali also netted twice as they present themselves as the title contenders. Maldives U16 were hope less through out the match. As Pakistan has completed their group games with maximum points they are set to meet the runner up of Group B which includes Nepal.

It will be the must win situation for Maldives U16 while draw will suffice the strong Indian U16 team who lost  their first group game with narrow margin to Pakistan.

Nepal U16 will face strong Bangladesh U16 tomorrow which sunk Sri Lanka U16 yesterday in 6-2 thriller.

Best of Luck for Nepal U16 team. 

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Pakistan and Bangladesh one step closer to Semis of SAFF U16 cup

Ram Gurung

Columnist, Nepalifootball.com

Bangladesh U16 Captain Mezbahuddin owns a match ball

August 2, 2011

Dashrath Rangashala

Mohammed Mezbahuddin netted thrice against the Sri Lankan team within first 15 minutes. He became the first player ever to score a hat trick in a U16 SAFF cup. The first half ended 4-0. The second half also saw four goals but cancelling each other out. Bangladesh won 6-2 on the day. Bangladesh will play their final group game against Nepal on 4th of August.

Pakistan U16 surges to victory against strong Rivals India U16

August 1, 2011 Dashrath Rangashala Indian Goalkeeper's mistake cost a loss in Group A encounter. The indian Goalkeeper ball was intercepted by advancing Mohammed Sohail of Pakistan. Who then made a assist for Mansoor Khan. Mansoor Khan beat the goalkeeper and slotted into the empty net in 20th minute. No other goals were scored and match ended 1-0 in favour of Pakistan. Tomorrow's Match Maldives U16 will play Pakistan U16 tomorrow. A win or draw for the western country in SAFF will be sufficient to place a berth in Semis. While Nepal U16 will play its first match on 4th against strong side Bangladesh who will also require a draw or win to seal their place in semi final.

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First Ever SAFF U-16 Kicks off today!

By: Ram Gurung

Columnist, Nepalifootball.com

First ever SAFF U-16 cup will kickoff with Pakistan U-16 facing off against India U-16 at Dasarath Rangasala, Kathmandu today.The tournament will run from August 1 to 10.

SAFF General Secretary Alberto Colaco addressed that these tournaments are necessary to give a good exposure to the U-16 Boys before they participate in the AFC U-16 qualification.

Nepal U-16 will face Bangladesh U-16 on 4th of August and then Sri Lanka U-16 on August 6th. It is yet to see that the U-16 would follow the heart winning performance by the senior team. Apart from the loss to Jordan in Amman, Nepalese senior team has performed magnificently under Graham Roberts. Nepal is now ranked 20th in AFC and 1st in the South Asian subcontinent. Nepalese supporters will have faith that the U-16 will follow the footsteps of the seniors.

Nepal U-16 Squad

Goalkeepers:

Birendra Chand, Brijesh Singh and Alan Neupane

Defenders: 

Sanjay Rajbahak, Aaditya Chaudhary, Bishwas Shrestha, Bibek Basnet, Anjan Lakhaju and Nabin Gurung

Midfielders:

Heman Gurung, Rungri Hang Rai, Sagar Lama, Firon Magrati, Shikharmani Kafle, Umesh Thapa, Pramal Thapamagar and Yugal Pandey

Forwards:

Rishi Thapamagar, Anil Gurung, Krishnaraj Lama, Suraj Hamal, Suman Lama and Suraj Kumar Rai.

Group A

India U16

Pakistan U16

Maldives U16

Group B

Sri Lanka U16

Bangladesh U16

Nepal U16

FIXTURES

GROUP A

August 1: India U16 - Pakistan U16

August 3: Maldives U16 - Pakistan U16

August 5: India U16 - Maldives U16

GROUP B

August 2: Sri Lanka U16 - Bangladesh U16

August 4: Nepal U16 - Bangladesh U16

August 6: Sri Lanka U16 - Nepal U16

SEMIFINALS

August 8: Semi 1 (Winner Group A - Runners-Up B)

August 8: Semi 2 (Winner Group B - Runners-Up A)

Finals

August 9: Fifth Place playoff

August 10: Third Place playoff

August 10: Final

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Nepal meets Bangladesh in U-16 opener campaign

SOURCE: REPUBLICA

KATHMANDU, July 31: Nepal will play its first SAFF U-16 Championship Football Tournament match against Bangladesh on Thursday at Dasharath Stadium. 

Nepal has been placed in group B in the six-team contest, which has Sri Lanka and Bangladesh as other teams in the group, in the first edition of event scheduled to kick off on Monday at Dasharath Stadium. In other group match, home team will play against Sri Lanka on Saturday. 

In curtain raiser, India will play against Pakistan in the group A match on Monday. Maldives is the other team in group A. 

Top two among three teams from each group will qualify for the semifinal stage after round robin group matches. Only one match will be played on each day until group stage which ends on August 10. All matches will be placed at Dasharath Stadium. 

Squad

Nepal has finalized the names of 23-member squad for the event under the captainship of Heman Gurung. 

Goalkeepers: Birendra Chand, Brijesh Singh and Alan Neupane; Defenders: Sanjay Rajbahak, Aaditya Chaudhary, Bishwas Shrestha, Bibek Basnet, Anjan Lakhaju and Nabin Gurung; Midfielders: Heman Gurung, Rungri Hang Rai, Sagar Lama, Firon Magrati, Shikharmani Kafle, Umesh Thapa, Pramal Thapamagar and Yugal Pandey; Forwards: Rishi Thapamagar, Anil Gurung, Krishnaraj Lama, Suraj Hamal, Suman Lama and Suraj Kumar Rai. 

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