'Nepal could have fared much better with good preparation'
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AUG 30 -
Nepal coach Krishna Thapa believes his side could have fared much better in the Nehru Cup had they prepared well for the five-nation tournament. Thapa made the comment after his side were beaten 2-0 by Syria in their final match of the campaign in New Delhi on Thursday.
The loss meant Nepal finished at the bottom of the table with just a point they earned from the goalless draw against India, who take on Cameroon in the finals of the tournament on Sunday.
Nepal got an invitation to the tournament after Kenya and Philippines had declined the offer from the All India Football Federation. An under prepared Nepal side readily accepted the offer eyeing the match exposure the national would get in the tournament.
Thapa said he was happy with the way his boys performed in the tournament. "Other than the 5-0 drubbing by Cameroon, our performance was satisfying," said Thapa, adding that the team could have made it to the final if the invitation had come two months prior to the tournament.
Nepal came into the match riding on an impressive draw against host India who are unbeaten so far. But Thapa's side were unable to display any of the virtues that had seen them hold the defending champions. They conceded a ninth minute goal from Hani Altayar largely owing to their defensive lapses, which gave Altayar acres of space to pick his shot at the back of the net.
The second goal was also conceded by a similar mistake when Sujal Shrestha failed to mark Ali Ghlioum in the 48th minute. Capitalising on the offer, Ghiloum made no mistake from the inside the penalty area.
After the match, Thapa said the match was for anybody's taking but Nepal failed to take their chances. "The ball possession was equal but they took their chances well," said Thapa.
Posted on: 2012-08-30 10:59
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