SAFF Championship 2013 Preview: India vs Nepal

Although Nepal failed to beat Pakistan in their last game, they actually produced a better display than the one against Bangladesh, which they won 2-0. Nepal will depend heavily on home support but against Pakistan, they showed their quality and mental strength as they kept going and scored a deserved equaliser in stoppage time. While India still need a win to top the group, a draw will be enough for Nepal. Thus, they don’t have to go out and take the initiative, something which they have done in their first two games.

But having watched India in the first two games, Nepal will surely not be afraid to have a go at the defending champions. The hosts have looked dangerous in this tournament when they have been on the front foot, so although they only need a draw, coach Jack Stefanowski could be going for all three points as it would also enhance their self-belief.

The Polish-American coach, though, has to ensure that his players don’t get carried away and will be aware that the Indian team too will be desperate for a good performance. Nepal are placed 25 spots below India in the FIFA Rankings but the performances of the sides in their first two games gives one a different impression. With the support of more than 22,000, Nepal have every chance of walking away with maximum points from this.

Form Guide

India: WLLWD

The draw against Bangladesh means India have won only three out of seven games in foreign shores under Wim Koevermans. They have also suffered successive away defeats against Singapore, Myanmar and Tajikistan. Koevermans would feel his side are due a win in an environment where their opponents will have all the support.

Nepal: WLDWD

Nepal’s results under Jack Stefanowski have been a mixed bag but on a positive note in this tournament, they have been able to find the back of the net in both games. They held India to a goalless draw when the sides last met in the 2012 Nehru Cup but were beaten 1-0 in the last SAFF Championship meeting in 2009.

Team News

India

Wim Koevermans has hit out at the tournament schedule several times already but is unlikely to make too many changes as qualification to the semi-finals isn’t sealed yet. The big worry for the Dutchman is that India’s best player in the tournament so far, Francis Fernandes, is carrying a knock and didn’t train on Wednesday at all. He could be replaced by Syed Rahim Nabi.

Probable XI – Subrata Pal; Nirmal Chettri, Gouramangi Singh, Arnab Mondal, Nallappan Mohanraj; Syed Rahim Nabi, Lenny Rodrigues, Mehtab Hossain, Jeje Lalpekhlua; Jewel Raja; Sunil Chhetri.

Nepal

Jack Stefanowski also has a couple of serious injury worries as the star duo of Anil Gurung and Jagjeet Shrestha didn’t train on Wednesday. While Anil could still make the starting eleven, there are huge question marks about ‘Nepali Messi’, Jagjeet. It would be interesting to see how much action 15-year-old Bimal Gharti Magar gets after his heroics against Pakistan.

Probable XI: Kiran Chemjong ; Biraj Mahajan, Sandip Rai, Sagar Thapa, Robin Shrestha; Bhola Nath Silwal, Raju Tamang, Rohit Chand, Jumanu Rai; Anil Gurung, Bharat Khawas.

Player To Watch

India – Sunil Chhetri

Despite some poor finishing in the first two games, India’s captain remains the team’s biggest goal threat and match winner. Sunil would be hoping to score from his first chance in this game so that the team settles down in a bid to get a positive result and progress to the semi-finals.

Nepal – Bharat Khawas

Due to the fitness concerns of Anil Gurung, Khawas will have a lot more responsibility on his shoulders. The 21-year-old was brilliant against Bangladesh but couldn’t maintain that level in the Pakistan game and thus would be determined for a strong showing against India.