Three teams battle for two berths today

Himalayan News Service

KATHMANDU: Three teams — Jordan, Tajikistan and Yemen — are on fray for two available berths for the AFC U-19 Championship ahead of the final round of the Group A qualifiers here on Wednesday.

Jordan lead the standings with 10 points while Tajikistan have nine and Yemen eight after four rounds. Nepal (3), Kyrgyzstan (3) and Palestine (1) are out of the contention with only a match to go in the qualifiers. Considering the results so far, Yemen look set to qualify as they play comparatively a weaker side Kyrgyzstan at the Armed Police Force grounds in Halchowk. Yemen will qualify for the finals if they win irrespective of the results of the match between Tajikistan and Jordan. If, however, Yemen loses both Jordan and Tajikistan will qualify. Jordan will qualify even with a draw while, in that case, Tajikistan will hope Yemen lose against Kyrgyzstan.

In the match between the eliminated teams, hosts Nepal will take on bottom of the table Palestine at the Dasharath Stadium. Despite the game being insignificant, Nepali coach Raju Kaji Shakya said the game against Palestine was still important for him. "We would like to end the qualifying campaign on a winning note," said Shakya. "It would not only keep our boys' morale high but also give Nepali fans something to cheer on," added the coach.

Though Palestine have been unable to win a single match in the qualifiers, Nepal look set to take the game seriously. "As the tournament progressed Palestine have been gradually improving their game", said Shakya. "The proof of their improvement was when they held Yemen in their third match. So we will not take the game lightly," added the coach.

Shakya hinted that there would be some changes in the playing squad with captain Dipak Bhushal returning with a suspension. Nepal could be without the regular goalkeeper Dinesh Thapa after his blunders in the previous matches. Bishal Rai is likely to replace Rupesh KC in the midfield. Midfielder Ganesh Khadka is set to miss the second match in succession after picking up injury in the match against Tajikistan.

ANFA appeal

KATHMANDU: The All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) have appealed Nepali fans not to resort to violence during the final day of the AFC U-19 Championship Group 'A' qualifiers on Wednesday. Issuing a press statement on Tuesday, ANFA also condemned the attack on the Iranian assistant referee Shakour Heider during the match between Nepal and Jordan on November 1. Heider got injured after a concrete object was hurled from the stands. ANFA said such incidents could prompt Asian Football Confederation to deprive Nepal from hosting international tournaments or organise matches in an empty stadium in future. — HNS

Today's matches

Tajikistan vs Jordan

@12:00, Dasharath Stadium

Nepal vs Palestine

@2:30pm, Dasharath Stadium

Krygyzstan vs Yemen

@ 2:00pm, APF Stadium