SOURCE: REPUBLICA
KATHMANDU, July 2: With a win in the first leg of world cup qualifiers, Nepali football squad is ready to face East Timor in the second leg on Saturday at the Dashrath Stadium. Nepal had defeated East Timor 2-1 in the first leg on Wednesday with a goal each from Anil Gurung and Jumanu Rai in either halves of the game.
Nepal´s British coach Graham Roberts said during the pre-match press conference on Friday that his team is confident of winning the second leg in front of home crowd. Coach Roberts further added that he doesn´t fear the opponent and will give it a tough fight in the second leg.
Nepal´s British coach Graham Roberts said during the pre-match press conference on Friday that his team is confident of winning the second leg in front of home crowd. Coach Roberts further added that he doesn´t fear the opponent and will give it a tough fight in the second leg.
He added that the current Nepali squad has talented players. "The only problem that Nepal will face is the rain. I saw the ground today and there was a lot of water. This will create problems for the players."
Commenting on the first match, coach Roberts said that they had played the first half well but the players didn´t play well in the second half as it rained heavily.
Coach Roberts said that two of his players are injured but he did not want to name them. He said that he would announce the starting line-up ahead of the match on Saturday.
Nepal´s captain Sagar Thapa said that his teammates are ready to put up a good show for the home spectators. “Our players are ready to put up a good show provided that the weather remains favorable,” he said, adding, "We know their playing style as we have played a match against them. We had played well in that match but we were unable to perform well in the last match due to rainfall."
East Timor assistant coach, Manuel Da Costa Soarez said that they are still alive in the tournament as they have an away-goal advantage. "We will put in our best efforts to win the match and qualify for the next round."
East Timor captain Jese Fernando Pinto said that they played well in the first match and will continue the same streak in the second match. "We conceded the first goal by mistake and the second was the mistake of the defense. We are confident about winning the second match."
Answering to the media persons´ queries on the advantage of the home ground, Pinto said that every team wants to play in its home ground. "Though we play here, we will give our best. The crowd will not be any problem and we do not fear anything."
Although Pinto was confident of winning the game, he is still unsure about his own participation in the match as he is yet to be registered for the tournament. Pinto missed the first leg but is hopeful of starting against Nepal on Saturday.
The result of the match can be instantly accessed by typing an SMS and sending it to 7000.
Commenting on the first match, coach Roberts said that they had played the first half well but the players didn´t play well in the second half as it rained heavily.
Coach Roberts said that two of his players are injured but he did not want to name them. He said that he would announce the starting line-up ahead of the match on Saturday.
Nepal´s captain Sagar Thapa said that his teammates are ready to put up a good show for the home spectators. “Our players are ready to put up a good show provided that the weather remains favorable,” he said, adding, "We know their playing style as we have played a match against them. We had played well in that match but we were unable to perform well in the last match due to rainfall."
East Timor assistant coach, Manuel Da Costa Soarez said that they are still alive in the tournament as they have an away-goal advantage. "We will put in our best efforts to win the match and qualify for the next round."
East Timor captain Jese Fernando Pinto said that they played well in the first match and will continue the same streak in the second match. "We conceded the first goal by mistake and the second was the mistake of the defense. We are confident about winning the second match."
Answering to the media persons´ queries on the advantage of the home ground, Pinto said that every team wants to play in its home ground. "Though we play here, we will give our best. The crowd will not be any problem and we do not fear anything."
Although Pinto was confident of winning the game, he is still unsure about his own participation in the match as he is yet to be registered for the tournament. Pinto missed the first leg but is hopeful of starting against Nepal on Saturday.
The result of the match can be instantly accessed by typing an SMS and sending it to 7000.
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