Kathmandu, November 10

Nepal national team head coach Gyotoku Koji said his camp was confident of reaching the final with a win over Laos in the semi-final match of the AFC Solidarity Cup in Kuching, Malaysia.

Nepal, who bounced back to defeat Brunei Darussalam 3-0 after playing a frustrating goalless draw against Timor Leste in the group stage matches, will face Laos in the semi-finals at the Negari Stadium on Sunday.

The other semi-final match pits Macau and Brunei.

“We are not in the mood to underestimate Laos,” said the Japanese coach of the opponents with whom his side played a 1-1 draw in a friendly match few months back. “They are a good side and they also displayed their superiority in the last group match against Mongolia,” said Koji at a conference today.

Koji also said that the pitch conditions on the match day would determine the style of the play. “If it rains, it will be very difficult for us as Laos are used to playing under such conditions,” he added. “But we have to be ready to perform under any circumstances.”

Koji said the 3-0 victory over Brunei had boosted the morale of the players and they were prepared to give their best against Laos. “The boys are motivated after the victory and all the players are fit to play,” he added.

Laos’ coach Valakone Phomphakdy predicted a tough battle in the semi-final match. “We have played a friendly match earlier and the result was a draw. We are expecting a competitive match as per the standard of our team,” he said. Phomphakdy expressed his concern about the weather.

“We can hope for a good game, provided it does not rain. We are not taking any pressure for the knock out round and we will focus on playing a good game.

All the players are fit and are preparing as per the game plan. We will change the plan as per the condition of the match,” Phomphakdy added.