Kathmandu, October 4

With only three matches to go, Nepal national football team head coach Gyotoku Koji said his side had less chance to qualify for next year’s AFC Asian Cup finals.

A total of 24 teams are vying for 12 spots available for the finals to be hosted by the United Arab Emirates next year. The teams are divided into six groups with top two sides from all pools making it to the finals where they will join already-qualified 12 teams.

Nepal will face Tajikistan in their away match at the Hisor Central Stadium on October 10 and are scheduled to travel to Hisor on October 6.

Coach Koji said it would be difficult for his side to win all three matches. “Since, we have already faced three opponents, it is clear that they all are stronger than us. So, it would be difficult for us to register victories in the remaining matches,” said Koji, who is trying to change Nepal’s traditional playing style of 4-4-2.

“For last one month, I am trying to teach new method to get better results. It will take time for the players to adopt new style but we are using that against Tajikistan and hoping to walk away as victors,” added Koji.

The Japanese, however, did not wish to reveal the new method that he is actually trying to teach his players.

Nepal, who are in Group F along with the Philippines, Yemen and Tajikistan in the Qualifiers, are at the bottom with a point from three matches.

The Philippines lead the table with seven points from two victories and a draw, while Yemen, who won a match and shared points in two matches, are second with five points. Likewise, Tajikistan are third with three points.

Nepal lost to the Philippines 4-1 in their away match, played a goalless draw against Yemen before going down 2-1 at the home grounds. Nepal will have to win all three remaining matches to keep their finals hopes alive.

After Tajikistan match, Nepal will travel to Yemen and host the Philippines.

Meanwhile, the Japanese coach Koji lamented for not getting chances to pick up new players due to lack of football competition in the country. “I want competition among the players but I am not getting chance to watch domestic matches. Even national league is not being organised which is causing problems in getting new faces in the squad,” said Koji.