Nepal U19 team is going to face the greatest test ever. The results by the junior side and senior side has increased a huge expectation on the U19 team. It is about time that how the U19 team can cope with the pressure and utilize the responsibility and inspiration from both teams. But the massive distinction would be the supporters. Both senior side and junior side had given praise worthy performance at Dasarath Rangashala but have failed to capitalise the momentum in away game. Amman is that chapter. Our national team has already played against the Bangladesh side twice last month and we are going to face them again. But it is going to be a totally different ball game. They are playing at home and we will have relatively null supporters in Bangladesh. We expect few of the medicine students from Nepal to support our team.
But the massive threat will be against the countries from middle east. We are pitted against Might Saudi Arabia which has played in World Cup several times and another strong side Oman. Then the mighty tiger and defending senior Asian Champions. So it is nearly impossible for Nepal to get out of the group. Each qualifying group are hosted in six different countries. The finals would be held in 2012.
Nepal's all first three games are against the Arabians. It is going to be a tough competition for the U19 side and lets not hope the last two SAFF encounters might only be formalities. Nepal will vie against Mighty Asian Champions Iraq in 25th October at Birshrestha Sipahi Mohammad Mostafa Stadium.
Similary India and Pakistan will meet again but they have more stronger competitors than Nepal. Iran, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan are more heavier than the SAFF countries. The most anticipated clash would be against the 2002 Joint World Cup hosts the South Koreans and Japan. Both are favourite to win the group and to win the title. Australia on the other side will have relatively easier encounters than other Asian powerhouses.
Group A: Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Oman, Bangladesh, Nepal, Maldives (Host: Bangladesh)
Group B: Bahrain, Jordan, Tajikistan, Qatar, Kuwait, Bhutan (Host: Qatar)
Group C: Uzbekistan, Iran, Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan (Host: Iran)
Group D: UAE, Syria, Yemen, Palestine, Lebanon (Host: UAE)
Group E: Korea Republic, Japan, Thailand, Hong Kong, Guam, Chinese Taipei (Host: Thailand)
Group F: DPR Korea, Vietnam, Malaysia, Myanmar, Laos (Host: Vietnam)
Group G: Australia, China, Indonesia, Singapore, Macau (Host: Undecided)
25 October 2011 16:00 | OMAN-SAUDI ARABIA | Bangabandhu National Stadium | - | ||
25 October 2011 19:15 | BANGLADESH-MALDIVES | Bangabandhu National Stadium | - | ||
25 October 2011 16:00 | IRAQ-NEPAL | Birshrestha Sipahi Mohammad Mostafa Stadium | - | ||
27 October 2011 16:00 | SAUDI ARABIA-NEPAL | Bangabandhu National Stadium | - | ||
27 October 2011 19:15 | IRAQ-BANGLADESH | Bangabandhu National Stadium | - | ||
27 October 2011 16:00 | OMAN-MALDIVES | Birshrestha Sipahi Mohammad Mostafa Stadium | - | ||
30 October 2011 16:00 | NEPAL-OMAN | Birshrestha Sipahi Mohammad Mostafa Stadium | - | ||
30 October 2011 16:00 | MALDIVES-IRAQ | Bangabandhu National Stadium | |||
30 October 2011 19:15 | SAUDI ARABIA-BANGLADESH | Bangabandhu National Stadium | - | ||
01 November 2011 19:15 | BANGLADESH-NEPAL | Bangabandhu National Stadium | - | ||
01 November 2011 16:00 | MALDIVES-SAUDI ARABIA | Bangabandhu National Stadium | - | ||
01 November 2011 16:00 | IRAQ-OMAN | Birshrestha Sipahi Mohammad Mostafa Stadium | - | ||
04 November 2011 16:00 | NEPAL-MALDIVES | Birshrestha Sipahi Mohammad Mostafa Stadium | - | ||
04 November 2011 19:15 | OMAN-BANGLADESH | Bangabandhu National Stadium | - | ||
04 November 2011 16:00 | SAUDI ARABIA-IRAQ | Bangabandhu National Stadium | - |
The U19 Iran, Uzbekistan, Bangladesh, UAE and Palestine had expressed an interest to host the 2012 AFC U-19 Championship Finals.
Ram Gurung
Columnist: Nepalifootball.com
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