SAFF Championship: Pakistan Coach Helped Us By Playing Kaleem Ullah In The Midfield – Nepal Coach Graham Roberts

The British coach was pleased to qualify for the final four though he reserved his comments on the performance…

06-Dec-2011 5:31:00 PM

By Rahul Bali

More On :  Nepal, Pakistan, Pakistan vs Nepal
Nepal coach Graham Roberts
Goal.com
Nepal are the first team to book their spot in the final four of the competition as they finished on top of group B.

“I’m delighted that we are in the semi-finals. It was hard work today against Pakistan. At half-time, we were leading. In the second half, Sandip gave away a penalty and then the players got edgy.

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“We are in the semis and that was our aim at the start of the tournament. Now we have three days to recover before we play our next match.”

On being asked as to whom would he prefer to face in the semi-finals given that Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and India have an opportunity to qualify, Roberts dismissed the chances of the Island nation.

“I think it’s two. I was there yesterday (Sunday) and saw the games (of group A). It’s only Afghanistan and India. I’m Ok. We are in the semis.”

Nepal were the only side to have scored against Pakistan in the competition and Roberts stated that his former side have a decent bunch of players.

“I coached them and I know them well. A lot of the people here have dismissed them saying Pakistan will finish fourth. They have good players.

“I was shocked when I saw Kaleem Ullah play in the middle. He is a better centre-forward and when he won the penalty, I knew we had a problem.

“He is a strong lad, takes people on and had a couple of decent runs in the first half. Their coach ( Zavisa Milosavljevic) helped me out.”


Catch all the latest Live action and match highlights from SAFF Championship here

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