KATHMANDU, Sept 5: Head coach of Nepal’s national football team Gyotoku Koji said that his side is looking to snatch at least a point, if not win, when it takes on Tajikistan in the AFC Asian Cup 2019 Qualifiers match on Tuesday.
Nepal and Tajikistan are competing at ANFA Complex, Lalitpur, in group F match that will be crucial for both the sides since they are yet to register win in the continental qualifying campaign.
“Our primary target will be to acquiring full three points from this match,” said Koji, speaking in the pre-match conference in the capital on Tuesday. “If not win, we will have to earn a draw at least, which will keep us in the qualifying contention.”
Nepal, with a point from two matches is in the third position in the table, while Tajikistan is pointless from equal number of matches. Nepal had begun its qualifying campaign with 4-1 loss to the Philippines in an away match, and kept Yemen to a goalless draw in the home match.
Likewise, Tajikistan which is at the bottom of the table had suffered 2-1 and 4-3 defeats to Yemen and the Philippines respectively.
Although Tajikistan has faced two defeats in a row in the competition, the visiting side can’t be taken lightly, Koji said.
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“Although Tajikistan lost its both matches in the group, we are not taking it as a weak side. Tajikistan has physically tough players so we will have to give our best,” Koji said.
Responding to queries about the impact on Nepali team from recent training camp in Japan, Koji said it would be too early to talk about the impact as that camp was just a part of a long-term vision.
“We are working on the future of Nepali team and the Japan tour was a part of it.
Players learned a lot there but it’s too early to talk about the impact it is going to bring,” further added Koji.
The Japanese coach also said that he has seen a lot of improvement in the players since his appointment to the Nepali national team one and half year ago. He further said that his team trusted the capacities of 23 hardworking players rather than depended on any one individual.
“We have 23 hardworking players in the squad, so I don’t want to stress on a particular player. Anybody in my team can be in the starting lineup,” said Koji.
Meanwhile Tajikistan Head Coach Fuzaylov Khakim said that his team would like to bounce back in the competition with win over the home team.
“We lost our last two matches but we are still concentrated to qualify for the final rounds. So we want to play well and win the match in order to keep the hope alive,” said Khakim.
However, commending the home team’s performance against Yemen, he said the match against Nepal would not be an easy one.
“Nepal gave tough fight to Yemen. We know it will be a tough match against the home team, as both teams need to gather full three points. But we are not feeling any pressure for the game,” concluded Khakim.
