Nepali Football – Looking Back The Year 2069

The year 2069 remained disappointing on international matches, however it added some revolution in domestic games.

The year 2069 remained unsuccessful to the National team, however it suggested development in domestic matches. ANFA’s huge addition in league’s prize money was noteable while Rohit Chand’s involvement Indonesian club PSPS Pekanbaru promoted Nepali Football to some extend.

Similarly inauguration of Sahara Football academy in Pokhara is another success in the year as the academy which runs through national and international donation targets to train underprivileged and orphans along with providing education.

Domestic Football

The domestic football kicked off with famous British Gurkha cup where Nepal Police club started the year win win. Police club defeated Three Star club 2-0 to lift the title.

Similarly Ncell tied up with ANFA which was highest amount of partnership with the amount worth 10 Millions rupees. ANFA conducted different Football activities in collaboration with Ncell throughout the year. The famous knock out tournament was named Ncell cup where MMC claimed the title with 6-1 win over RCT.

Ncell Cup Best Players and Coach

MMC With Ncell Cup Title

Ncell Cup was followed by another knock out tournament which was organized within huge Pokhareli supporters. Safal cup Pokhara was organized and MMC claimed another title defeating Machhindra 1-0 in the final. MMC also claimed another title after they defeated Yeti Himalayan Shrepa Club in the Simara Gold cup.

Machhindra club overcame their Safal cup sorrow as they lifted Saptari Gold cup defeating Yeti Himalayan Sherpa club in the final. Similarly Three star claimed two silverware as they were named 11th Aaha gold cup and Udhapur gold cup winners. Yeti Himalayan Shrepa cup faced final bitterness for third time as they were sidelined by Three star club in the Udhayapur gold cup final. Meanwhile Three Star club were blessed with sole goal from Femi to win the finals of Aaha Rara gold cup defeating hosts Sahara club in the final of the tournament.

Sankata who were promoted to the A division Football this year remained the most successful among the promoting sides. They fought for the super 8 position, however remained unsuccessful and also won Birat Gold cup defeating APF in the final.

Boys Union club clinced B division title and were sole team to get promoted to A division as ANFA focused to trim two A division club with an aim to balance the higher division league.

Three Star club were crowned the league title after 8 years and Santosh Sahukhala scored the highest number of league goals. Three Star club bagged Nrs 75 lakhs which is the best prize money in the history of Nepalese Football. Meanwhile Bouddha FC, Bansbari and Iceberg Madhyapur Youth Associations were among relegated teams.

League Best Players and Coach

Fair Play Award – NMB Machhindra Club gets NRS 1 Lakh.

Best players and coaches will get Yamaha ss125 Motorcycle.

Best Defense –  Biraj Maharjan – Three Star Club.

Best Forward – Bharat Khawas – Nepal Army Club.

Best GoalKeeper – Kiran Chemjong – Three Star Club.

Best Midfield – Jagjeet Shrestha – NIBL Friends Club.

Best Coach – Pradeep Humagain – Three Star Club

Here is the prize money won by each Super League Individual teams.

Three Star Club – League Champions 2069

International Football

Nepal’s international performance deteriorated in the year 2069. Nepal started the year as the South Asian leader in FIFA ranking and ranked 149th in the start of year 2069 and ended up the year with 171 ranking lying sixth in South Asia.

Nepal showed its participation in Nehru cup, India, however the performance remained disappointing. Nepal started its match with 2-1 defeat to Maldives and ended up account with 0-0 draw against winner and host India. Meanwhile, Nepal were defeated 2-0 to Syria and were defeated 5-0 to Cameroon.

Nepal played couple of friendly matches against Bangladesh and Pakistan. Two friendly matches were scheduled against Bangladesh in Dasarath Rangashala out of which one was cancelled due to poor field conditions. Nepal played 1-1 draw in first friendly match of the year 2069 as Bhola Silwal scored for trailing Nepal against Bangladesh.

Similarly Poland-born New Yorker Jack Stefanowski was appointed new head coach of Nepal after Krishna Thapa withdrew him as National team coach. Richard Orlowski was named assistant coach as foreign coaches duo were handed over the responsibilities.

Nepal lost 1-0 to Pakistan in first friendly match against Pakistan which was first match under Jack’s regime while the defeat continued as Nepal were 1-0 behind in second friendly as well.

Nepal played next big tournament in home facing challenge to qualify for the AFC Challenge cup 2014. Hosting the group D qualifiers matches, Nepal faced Norther Mariana Islands, Bangladesh and Palestine. Nepal started the account with 6-0 win over underdogs Northern Mariana Islands who displayed their participation for the first time. Bharat Khawas became only fourth player in Nepal to score international hat trick after Ganesh Thapa, Naresh Joshi and Nirajan Rayamajhi.

Bharat Khawas Celebrating his hat Trick

Nepal’s hope for qualifying blurred after getting defeated to Bangladesh. With must win prospect in third match against Palestine, Nepal  entered the field in attacking note but failed to qualify after 0-0 draw against the group winners.

Prizes and Awards

-ANFA awarded Nrs 50,000 each to SAFF finalist women’s team and coach.

-ANFA awarded Nrs 50,000 each to National team players for their effort in the year 2069 expecting to motivate players in forthcoming matches.

-Rupak Memorial Award:  Kiran Giri, Surendra Shikhakar, Binod KC and Kalpana Sharma were four referees to get honored with Rupak Memorial award. Surendra Tamang and Jamuna Gurung were among players while Padma Krishna Shrestha, Shiva Bhakta Joshi, Bhim Thapa and Dhana Bahadur Basnet were four coaches to receive the award.

-Sandip Rai was the Ncell Player of the year 2069 as he got Hyundai EON car. Bharat Khawas remained second and Anil Gurung was third.

-National team skipper Sagar Thapa was awarded with a Mero City Apartment by for his lengthy contribution in Nepali Football.

Women’s Football

The year 2069 remained impressive for Women’s Football. Ncell’s and ANFA collaboration resulted in first Women’s League Football. Police club won the title where Chandra was adjudged the best player of the tournament and received a two-wheeler.

Namita Dali of NPC, Amrita Jaisi of Far-West, Renuka Nagarkoti of TAC and Anu Lama of APF Club were adjudged the best goalkeeper, defender, midfielder and forward. Sandesh Shrestha of the winning team was named the best coach.

All five best individuals received Rs 25,000 each.

Nepal’s women team displayed brilliant result in international Football. Nepal were SAFF Women’s Championship runner up after getting behind to India 3-1 in the final.

Nepali Women team also flied to Kuwait city for two friendly match. Nepal wreaked Kuwait 8-0 in first match while second friendly match was called off due to too many injured players in Kuwait squad. Anu Lama scored 4 goals in 8-0 win.

Nepal’s Women Squad in Kuwait Friendly

Sorrow

The year 2069 saw deaths of two young emerging players. ANFA academy players Ranjan Thapa and Sagar Pariyar were dead on a bus accident. Ranjan lost his breath on the spot while Sagar was pronounced dead at hospital.

Similarly cancer suffering former Bouddha FC Player Kumar Lama breathed his last air at B&B hospital.

Nepal also had to face the death of Nigerian Footballer Austin Ndife who was not assigned to any club. The 21 years old footballer arrived Nepal and had appeared in the trial for A division outfits Three Star, Friends and Bouddha FC. He died of Cardiac arrest.

Year 2069 remained cocktail of happiness and sorrows for Nepali Football fans, hope this new year brings additional success and development of Nepalese Football.