|
|
SAFF Championships Preview: Pakistan vs Nepal - Graham Roberts Is Up Against His Old Side As He Looks To End Pakistan's Hopes Of Qualification
A draw will be enough for Nepal to progress...but Pakistan need to win to ensure that the chance of making the semi-final does not depend on what the other teams do...
By Kaustav Bera
Goal.com
| PROBABLE LINEUPS |
|
PAKISTAN |
NEPAL |
Matchday five sees a do-or-die encounter between Nepal and Pakistan for supremacy of Group B as well as qualification into the semi-finals.
Pakistan have seen two back-to-back draws against Maldives and Bangladesh and have silenced their critics who had branded them the beating boys in the group. Under new coach Zavisa Milosavljevic, Pakistan have been impressive in the tournament so far, the only moot point being their profligacy in front of goal.
In order to progress without having to rely on other results of the group, Pakistan need to win against Nepal. A draw can also take them through if Bangladesh and Maldives draw in the other Group B encounter, even if goal difference comes into play with Maldives who will be tied on points with Pakistan
Adnan Ahmed and Atif Bashir both have been in good form for Pakistan and look to continue their good work. Jadeed Khan Pathan needs to put to bed the chances created and Pakistan will have no reason to look back.
Nepal have looked the most impressive side of the Group as they have drawn one and won one of the two matches they have played so far. They sit comfortably atop the table and a draw will be enough to see them through. Even a loss may allow them to sneak into the semi-final if Bangladesh wins based on Head to Head or a stalemate between Bangladesh and Maldives.
Nepal have looked an impressive side under Graham Roberts playing some slick football. Star striker Jumanu Rai who impressed against Bangladesh, coming on as a substitute in the win against Maldives, had suffered an injury. However he is expected to start against Pakistan. Bijoy Garung, their influential Number 7 has been in top form having orchestrated many a attacking move. He will have to be at his best to tear down the stubborn Pakistani defense.
Pakistan, who have displayed a strong and physical way of play so far, come against the slick passing Nepal side who rely on short passes and quick one-twos. With contrasting styles it will make for an interesting finale to the group B action.
Pakistan have all to play for with a win guaranteeing their progress to the semi-finals while a draw will do for Nepal to confirm their berth beyond doubt.
Available Squad For Pakistan
Goalkeepers: Jaffar Khan (Captain), Muzamil Hussain, Saquib Hanif
Defenders: Samar Ishaq (Vice Captain), Kamran Khan, Muhammad Rizwan Asif, Muhammad Ahmed, Naveen Ahmed, Manzoor Ahmed, Alamgir Khan
Midfielders: Adnan Farooq Ahmed (Vice Captain), Faisal Iqbal , Ansar Abbas, Saddam Hussain, Kaleem Ullah, Muhammad Adil, Muhammad Ikram, Atif Bashir Qureshi ,
Forwards: Jadeed Khan Pathan ,Shakir Lashari, Husnain Abbas, Junaid Qadir
Available Squad for Nepal
Goalkeepers: Kiran Kumar Limbu, Ritesh Thapa, Bikash Malla,
Defenders: Sagar Thapa, Biraj Maharjan, Sandip Rai, Bikash Singh Chhetri, Dipak Bhushal, Rohit Chand, Robin Shrestha,
Midfielders: Nirajan Khadga, Jagjeet Shrestha, Bholanath Silwal, Bijay Gurung, Raju Tamang,
Strikers: Anil Gurung, Jumanu Rai, Sujal Shrestha, Santosh Sahukhala, Bharat Khawas
Goalkeepers: Jaffar Khan (Captain), Muzamil Hussain, Saquib Hanif
Defenders: Samar Ishaq (Vice Captain), Kamran Khan, Muhammad Rizwan Asif, Muhammad Ahmed, Naveen Ahmed, Manzoor Ahmed, Alamgir Khan
Midfielders: Adnan Farooq Ahmed (Vice Captain), Faisal Iqbal , Ansar Abbas, Saddam Hussain, Kaleem Ullah, Muhammad Adil, Muhammad Ikram, Atif Bashir Qureshi ,
Forwards: Jadeed Khan Pathan ,Shakir Lashari, Husnain Abbas, Junaid Qadir
Available Squad for Nepal
Goalkeepers: Kiran Kumar Limbu, Ritesh Thapa, Bikash Malla,
Defenders: Sagar Thapa, Biraj Maharjan, Sandip Rai, Bikash Singh Chhetri, Dipak Bhushal, Rohit Chand, Robin Shrestha,
Midfielders: Nirajan Khadga, Jagjeet Shrestha, Bholanath Silwal, Bijay Gurung, Raju Tamang,
Strikers: Anil Gurung, Jumanu Rai, Sujal Shrestha, Santosh Sahukhala, Bharat Khawas
| |
DID YOU KNOW? |
- Nepal are ranked 143, and are the second highest ranked team in the competition behind Bangladesh (142).
Graham Roberts had previously coached Pakistan before taking over as coach of Nepal.
- Nepal have played Pakistan 11 times, winning 5 and losing 4.
- Graham Roberts, the most high profile coach in the tournament also had a distinguished playing career, having played for Tottenham, Rangers and Chelsea.
- Pakistan are yet to score in the 2011 SAFF Championships.
- Nepal games attract the maximum number of fans to the stadium in this edition of the competition.
Catch all the latest Live action and match highlights from SAFF Championship here
Field Report
Reader's Predictions
Top 3 Predictions
-
Pakistan 0-2 Nepal
- 42.75 %
-
Pakistan 0-1 Nepal
- 10.87 %
-
Pakistan 0-3 Nepal
- 9.78 %
| SAFF Championship (SAFF) | 06-Dec-2011 | Pakistan 1 - Nepal 1 |
|
Pakistan
   |
||
| 06-Dec-2011 | Pakistan 1 - Nepal 1 | SAFF |
| 04-Dec-2011 | Pakistan 0 - Maldives 0 | SAFF |
| 02-Dec-2011 | Bangladesh 0 - Pakistan 0 | SAFF |
| 08-Dec-2009 | Pakistan 7 - Bhutan 0 | SAFF |
| 06-Dec-2009 | Bangladesh 0 - Pakistan 0 | SAFF |
Nepal
  |
||
| 12-Mar-2012 | Nepal 0 - Turkmenistan 3 | ACC |
| 10-Mar-2012 | Maldives 1 - Nepal 0 | ACC |
| 08-Mar-2012 | Nepal 0 - Palestine 2 | ACC |
| 09-Dec-2011 | Afghanistan 1 - Nepal 0 | SAFF |
| 06-Dec-2011 | Pakistan 1 - Nepal 1 | SAFF |
| 1 | Jafar Khan | Goalkeeper |
| - | Kamran Khan | Defender |
| 16 | Hussnain Abbas | Defender |
| - | Samar Ishaq | Defender |
| 3 | Muhammed Ahmed | Defender |
| - | Adnan Farooq Ahmed | Midfielder |
| - | Atif Bashir | Midfielder |
| - | Saddam Hussain | Midfielder |
| 9 | Rizwan Asif | Midfielder |
| - | Jadid Khan Pathan | Striker |
| - | Kalim Khan | Striker |
| 7 | Shakir Lashari | Defender |
| 17 | Ansar Abbas | Defender |
| - | Amjad Iqbal | Defender |
| 22 | Muzammil Hussain | Goalkeeper |
| 18 | Junaid Gadir | Midfielder |
| 21 | Muhammad Adil | Midfielder |
| 12 | Saqib Hanif | Midfielder |
| 14 | Manzaoor Ahmed | Midfielder |
| 15 | Naveed Ahmed | Midfielder |
| 16 | Kiran Kumar Limbu | Goalkeeper |
| 19 | Rohit Chand | Defender |
| 19 | Sagar Thapa | Defender |
| 3 | Biraj Maharjan | Defender |
| 2 | Rabin Shrestha | Defender |
| 21 | Bharat Khawas | Midfielder |
| 15 | Raju Tamang | Midfielder |
| 13 | Sandeep Rai | Midfielder |
| 7 | Bijay Gurung | Midfielder |
| 11 | Ju Manu Rai | Striker |
| 9 | Santosh Shahukhala | Striker |
| 1 | Bikash Malla | Goalkeeper |
| 4 | Deepak Bhusal | Defender |
| 5 | Bikash Singh Chhetri | Defender |
| 8 | Nirajan Khadka | Midfielder |
| 10 | Anil Gurung | Striker |
| 12 | Sujal Shrestha | Striker |
| 17 | Bhola Nath Silwal | Midfielder |
| 20 | Ritesh Thapa | Goalkeeper |
| 22 | Jagjit Shrestha | Midfielder |
1 
0 
16 
0 
3 
0 
0 
0 
9 
0 
0 
16 
19 
19 
3 
2 
21 
15 
13 
7 
11 
9 Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Sunil Chhetri
Striker India |
7 | 2 |
|
Balal Arezo
Striker Afghanistan |
6 | 0 |
|
C. Miranda
Midfielder India |
3 | 0 |
|
Ata Mohammad Yamir Ali
Midfielder Afghanistan |
2 | 0 |
|
Syed Nabi
Defender India |
2 | 0 |