Kathmandu, August 9

Nepal will start their SAFF U-16 Championship campaign against Maldives at the Sylhet District Stadium in Rikabibazar, Bangladesh on Monday.

Coach Upendra Man Singh said that the team was ready for the match as the boys seemed fit. “If we are able to win the opening match the confidence level of the players will rise and help for the upcoming matches. We will watch the strategy of the opponents and make our plans,” Singh said, adding that they would attack on the loose point of opponent. “We have put in a lot of efforts in the training, twice daily which will help us in the match.”

Coach Singh further added that the wet pitch might be a problem for the team as they had trained in artificial turf. “This championship will also help us prepare for the AFC U-16 Qualifiers to be held in Bishkek in mid-September,” he said.

Skipper Manish Karki said the team was ready for the match and would go for the win. “We have nicely acclimatise with the weather and we are ready for the match. We want to start the tournament with win,” said Karki.