Forward line needs to change

This article is originally written by Givemegoal.com.np’s guest writer Bibek Sharma.

LOOKING AT THE 31-MEN PRELIMINARY NEPALESE SQUAD ANNOUNCED BY STEFANOWSKI AND ORLOWSKI.

THE TWO FOREIGN COACHES HAVE ANNOUNCED THE 31 MEN SQUAD FOR UPCOMING TWO LEGGED SERIES AGAINST PAKISTAN AND AFC. GIVEMEGOAL.COM ANALYZES THE LATEST SQUAD FOR THE UPCOMING MATCHES.

It is too early to tell what both Stefanowski and Orlowski are planning for the National team, well that has been the question on everyone’s mind. Looking at the tradition when foreign coaches come to Nepal they always have the prefect start; we saw that with Thomas Flath and Graham Roberts. So, both coaches may look at that because the Nepalese fans will demand wins against Pakistan in both games. It will tremendously boost the national camp ahead of the AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers. Both coaches have a good CV and they have a challenge and with a new 31 men squad announced, we look at the players at their disposal and it is going to influence their playing style.

After a month of their arrival, they have been doing their research accordingly and this squad shows that there are new crop of players emerging. Players such as Bijay Dhimal, Sulav Maskey, Saroj Dahal, Amar Dangol, Bikram Lama and Rajendra Rawal have emerged and have deserved to a part due to their club form. That is the thing that previous coaches some what ignored. Previous coaches have always been critical and have selected the more experienced players than bringing up fresh stalwarts. Kuthu is an excellent shot stopper and maybe Stefanowski will give him a chance. However, the coach also promised that they will also recall some players back who are not selected in this pool, so maybe Stefanowski is waiting for the right time. Kiran Chemjong and Ritesh Thapa also had impressing season. Thapa’s Police conceded 12 goals with 6 clean sheets, which is a good statistic to consider. Chemjong collected 10 clean sheets and will be number 1 shot stopper.

Defense is a key area for Stefanowski to improve as it has to make tight and the defenders got to have that no nonsense-defending attitude. Previous tournaments have taught a lesson that conceding even a single goal is crucial as it affects the team morale and even the groups. Bijaya Dhimal has been impressing in Three Star Club with his skills as well. Saroj Dahal is a new comer from Madhyapur who were relegated but maybe Stefanowski saw something in him, as he has been the outstanding defender from the club. It will be interesting whether Stefanowski goes for a back four or back five. SagarThapa, Rohit Chand, Biraj Maharjan, Sandip Rai, Jitendra Karki, Rabin Shrestha and Sabindra Shrestha are the other defenders.

12 midfielders have been selected for the preliminary squad and there are some surprises. Rajendra Rawal from Armed Police Force has been a real surprise but the two coaches have chosen him maybe for his energy in midfield. Sulav Maskey impressed in Ncell Cup held on Bhadra and has the ricks up his sleeves. Jagjeet Shrestha and Nirajan Khadka can be the important playmakers as both were influential in their league campaign. Bikram Lama is another young emerging midfielder coming from Three Star Club and has the capability to pop in with a goal or two from midfield. Anil Ojha, Bhola Silwal, Bijaya Gurung, Ganesh Khadka, Nawayug Shrestha and Raju Tamang are the others to join. The likes of Sujal Shrestha and Shiva Shrestha are ruled out of 31. Stefanowski can adopt a three-man midfield from these sets of players but there is not a midfielder who is a combative defensive midfielder.

The forward line has been seen as a problem for a couple of years now. Jumanu Rai, Anil Gurung and Santosh Sahukhala are always regular but they have had a drought for a long time that needs to end. The coaches promised that they will solve this problem and maybe the addition of Amar Dangol, Bishal Rai ‘A’, Dipak Rai and the return of Chetan Ghimire can have an impact. However, the forward line needs to change maybe putting Bharat Khawas as a centre forward behind the lone striker could be helpful. Among all of them, Santosh Sahukhala could play that lone role because he has that capability to play off the last man. But his performances for the National team has been woeful.

It will be interesting to see what Stefanowski opts to play with and this is only the preliminary squad and more changes are yet to come. The true test will come at the AFC Challenge Cup and SAFF Championship but we can get the idea of their philosophy in these types of matches. Let’s hope for the best!