Kathmandu (Hamro Khelkud) – Nepal National Football team has been featured in a tough group for world cup qualifiers matches second round.
Grouped with five-time world cup appeared nation Australia, Asian powerhouse Jordan, Kuwait and Chinese Taipei, the underdogs Nepal has a tough task to go through as their newly appointed manager Johan Kalin has a tough test to face.
Kalin guided Nepalese league side Machhindra FC to second place in 2013–14 Martyr’s Memorial A-Division League and was praised for his attacking tactics. Machhindra was least of the title favorites and they went on to challenge league winners Manang Marsyangdi Club till the last game of the super league, only behind by 1 point at the end of the season. Machhindra conceded the least number of goals in the league.
The Swedish coach has a tough job with the Nepalese side who are deprived of a good league and even an international stadium as Nepal’s only international stadium Dasarath Stadium is still pending full functionality after being severely damaged by 2015 Nepal earthquake that killed more than 9000 people.
Nepal’s world cup 2022 qualifiers fixture will see them play eight matches, home and away with each team in the group.
The first match was expected to be played in Nepal’s home soil, however sort of time to make the Dasarath Stadium ready caused All Nepal Football Association to request Nepal’s matches to be played at Kuwait.
Group B Table
Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | Points |
1 | Australia | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 12 |
2 | Kuwait | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 10 |
3 | Jordan | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 10 |
4 | Nepal | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 3 |
5 | Chinese Taipei | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
Nepal Fixtures and Results
5 Sept 2019 / Kuwait 7-0 Jordan / Al Kuwait Sports Club Stadium, Kuwait City
10 Sept 2019/ Chinese Taipei 0-2 Nepal / Taipei Municipal Stadium, Taipei
10 October 2019/ Australia 5-0 Nepal / Canberra Stadium, Canberra
15 October 2019/ Jordan 3-0 Nepal/ Amman International Stadium, Amman
19 November 2019 / Nepal 0-1 Kuwait
? / Nepal v Chinese Taipei
? / Nepal v Australia
? /Nepal v Jordan