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In an eagerly anticipated football match at Dasharath Rangashala in Tripureshwar, Nepal is gearing up to face Yemen at 7 o'clock in the evening. This game marks Nepal's first home match after a 4-0 defeat to the UAE in the group's opening fixture. Both Nepal and Yemen advanced to the second stage by triumphing in the qualifying matches of the preliminary stage.
Despite a challenging start, Nepal and Yemen find themselves on equal footing, with FIFA rankings placing Yemen at 156th and Nepal at 173rd. With the UAE and Bahrain dominating the group as the two strongest teams, Nepal and Yemen recognize the significance of securing points in their upcoming clash.
Nepal's head coach, Vincenzo Alberto Enes, has expressed a strong determination to secure victory against Yemen and accrue crucial points. Enes emphasized the importance of instilling hope among supporters and players, stating, "We want to win this game. We must win this game to give hope to the supporters and players. We want to add points."
Captain Kiran Kumar Limbu echoed the coach's sentiments, acknowledging the importance of the match against Yemen. He emphasized the excitement within the team, recognizing the challenge and asserting, "We have to win as this game is important to move on from here."
However, Nepal faces challenges in player selection, with first-choice midfielder Locken Limbu sidelined due to injury sustained in the match against UAE. The absence of key players like Anant Tamang, who did not travel to UAE due to injury, adds to the strategic considerations for the coaching staff.
Despite the hurdles, this game presents an opportunity for forward Anjan Bista to set a new record. Having equalled the goal-scoring record of 13 goals in the match against Laos, Bista aims to secure his position in history by surpassing former national team forwards Hari Khadka and Nirajan Rayamaji. If Bista manages to score against Yemen, he will claim the record as his own.
Looking back at the head-to-head history between Nepal and Yemen
The odds seem stacked against Nepal, having failed to secure a victory in the four encounters thus far. The most notable performance was a goalless draw in the AFC Cup qualifying match held in Nepal in 2017. With past defeats in 2000, 2014, and 2018, Nepal is determined to rewrite history and emerge victorious against Yemen in front of their home crowd.
As the clock ticks down to the pivotal match, Nepal is not only aiming for three points in the standings but also seeking redemption and a significant boost in morale. The players, coach, and supporters are united in their quest for victory against Yemen, turning Dasharath Stadium into the stage for a potential comeback story.