New Delhi, INDIA – In an exclusive interview to maldivesoccer.com, Nepal’s coach Graham Roberts said that he believes that if Nepal manage to keep clean sheets in the tournament, they would be in the finals. Nepal will face Maldives in the second game which will kick off at 1730hrs in Maldivian time.
“I believe if we can keep clean sheets we can go to the finals and I have instructed it to the players”
The England international also reiterated his confidence in winning the tournament.
“During the past three and half months we have been practicing for this tournament. We have technically very good players and when I joined with the players they were too lazy and physically not fit. But now they are sharp and I have the confidence on them.”
“The players are 100% physically and mentally fit for the game”
He also said that Maldives has some skillful players and he has a plan to tackle with it.
“Basically I don’t want to talk about other teams, I am only thinking about my team. If my team wins the matches we can win the tournament. If we don’t perform well we don’t get anything.”
“As far as I know there are 8 players who played against Pakistan in the Asian Games when I was the coach of Pakistan. And
I know those players and I have plan to tackle with them.”
“Tomorrow’s game would be good. Playing two good teams against each other and two good coaches tactically facing each other it would be an interesting game.”
Meanwhile, Nepal captain, Sagar Thapa highlighted the importance of winning the first match against Maldives.
“We have worked really hard for this Championship. We are in a tough group but we know we can go through. The match against Maldives is a tough one but we have done enough homework for this match”.
“We have been training very well and I am confident that we could end up as the winning team”