dika can produce magic in sudden out of nowhere but remains inactive in whole match ...he could be best used as substitute and might turn out to be super sub ...
India - Nepal Preview: The start to Constantine's second innings The two neighbouring countries shall fight it out in a twin legged 2018 World Cup qualifier with the first game being played in Guwahati on Thursday... Rahul Bali 11-Mar-2015 20:16:15 India plays host to Nepal in the first leg of the 2018 World Cup pre-qualifier as the two sides square-off at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Guwahati on Thursday evening. This will be Stephen Constantine’s first test after returning to the national team fold for a second stint. India along with Nepal are amongst the 12 worst ranked nations in the continent and as a consequence are expected to play a two-legged pre-qualifier from which six victorious teams will progress into the second round of eight groups with five teams each. Interestingly this time around, the World Cup qualifiers also act as the gateway to 2019 Asian Cup. The last time the Blue Tigers were in action was in October 2014, wherein they lost 2-3 to Palestine while Nepal too suffered a 3-0 defeat to a much higher ranked Philippines side. This will be a perfect grudge match for the Gorkhalis who were defeated 2-0 in Siliguri in November 2013 wherein Sunil Chhetri surpassed Bhaichung Bhutia’s record of being the top scorer for the national side. On Thursday, Jumanu Rai has the opportunity to do the same if he scores a couple of goals against India, he would be the highest goal scorer for the Nepal national side. Lately, India versus Nepal contests have been competitive. In the SAFF Championship held in Nepal, India lost 2-1 while in the Nehru Cup tie in 2012, the Nepal Reds dominated the proceedings against a hapless Indian outfit but their failure to convert chances resulted in a 0-0 draw. Constantine will look to make the most of the home advantage after having held a camp for a week in Guwahati. Team India suffered a blow when attacking midfielder Anthony D’Souza suffered a career threatening injury to his ankle following a horror tackle in training by one of the strikers on Monday. “I would first like to offer the best wishes for Anthony D’Souza from the rest of the team. It was a freak injury to be honest. He just turned with the ball and a player caught him. 200 other times, nothing happens. But he has a quite bad injury and I am told he will be out for at least three months,” the former coach of Rwanda and Sudan national team informed. On the other hand, Nepal’s preparation didn’t go as planned as their two-day camp in Kolkata had to be cancelled. Add to that Bimal Magar will miss the first leg due to an injury. “We will decide tonight or tomorrow whether he will be playing or not,” the coach informed about the player who resumed training on the eve of the match. Lose and India will be widely panned while a win for either team could do wonders for the confidence of a large number of fresh faces in the squads. A fascinating strategic battle waits.
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Constantine's second innings
The two neighbouring countries shall fight it out in a twin
legged 2018 World Cup qualifier with the first game being
played in Guwahati on Thursday...
Rahul Bali
11-Mar-2015 20:16:15
India plays host to Nepal in the
first leg of the 2018 World Cup
pre-qualifier as the two sides
square-off at the Indira Gandhi
Athletic Stadium, Guwahati on
Thursday evening.
This will be Stephen Constantine’s first test after returning
to the national team fold for a second stint.
India along with Nepal are amongst the 12 worst ranked
nations in the continent and as a consequence are
expected to play a two-legged pre-qualifier from which six
victorious teams will progress into the second round of
eight groups with five teams each. Interestingly this time
around, the World Cup qualifiers also act as the gateway
to 2019 Asian Cup.
The last time the Blue Tigers were in action was in
October 2014, wherein they lost 2-3 to Palestine while
Nepal too suffered a 3-0 defeat to a much higher ranked
Philippines side.
This will be a perfect grudge match for the Gorkhalis who
were defeated 2-0 in Siliguri in November 2013 wherein
Sunil Chhetri surpassed Bhaichung Bhutia’s record of
being the top scorer for the national side.
On Thursday, Jumanu Rai has the opportunity to do the
same if he scores a couple of goals against India, he
would be the highest goal scorer for the Nepal national
side.
Lately, India versus Nepal contests have been competitive.
In the SAFF Championship held in Nepal, India lost 2-1
while in the Nehru Cup tie in 2012, the Nepal Reds
dominated the proceedings against a hapless Indian outfit
but their failure to convert chances resulted in a 0-0 draw.
Constantine will look to make the most of the home
advantage after having held a camp for a week in
Guwahati. Team India suffered a blow when attacking
midfielder Anthony D’Souza suffered a career threatening
injury to his ankle following a horror tackle in training by
one of the strikers on Monday.
“I would first like to offer the best wishes for Anthony
D’Souza from the rest of the team. It was a freak injury to
be honest. He just turned with the ball and a player
caught him. 200 other times, nothing happens. But he has
a quite bad injury and I am told he will be out for at least
three months,” the former coach of Rwanda and Sudan
national team informed.
On the other hand, Nepal’s preparation didn’t go as
planned as their two-day camp in Kolkata had to be
cancelled. Add to that Bimal Magar will miss the first leg
due to an injury.
“We will decide tonight or tomorrow whether he will be
playing or not,” the coach informed about the player who
resumed training on the eve of the match.
Lose and India will be widely panned while a win for either
team could do wonders for the confidence of a large
number of fresh faces in the squads. A fascinating
strategic battle waits.