Desperate to embrace their first silverware on foreign soil in 23 years, Nepal take on Bahrain U-23 in the final of the Bangabandhu Gold Cup Football Tournament in Dhaka, Bangladesh on Friday.

Nepal’s last international title in foreign soil came back in 1993 when they defeated India 4-3 in penalties after a 2-2 stalemate during the South Asian Games final in Dhaka. Ever since Nepal have not tasted any title. Nepal had won the Prime Minister Cup-an invitation tournament like the Bangabandhu Gold Cup—in 2009 but by fielding two teams as the hosts. The event was not recognised as official. Fifa had recognised Nepal’s matches against Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Maldives but Friday’s final at the Bangabandhu National Stadium will not be an official game considering the age-group team of Bahrain.

If Nepal lifts the trophy on Wednesday, it may not carry the same importance to that of the 1993 triumph. The reason is that Nepal won the silverware in 1993 competing with the even field between the national teams of the regions, while the Bangabandhu Gold Cup is being participated by uneven field of national teams, U-23 teams and a club team. Victory, however, would be a welcome relief to the Nepali football that has recently been embroiled in corruption and match-fixing scandals.

Irrespective of the quality of the opponents, Nepal coach Bal Gopal Maharjan expected a victory over Bahrain will change the fortunes of Nepali football. “The result will certainly change the way the government views the sport. We will be able to draw more attention from the concerned authorities,” Maharjan told media on the eve of the match. “The results we have produced so far in this tournament have also helped Nepali fans forget the turbulent past of Nepali football.”

Nepal were outsiders when the tournament kicked off and the status was approved by a lacklustre goalless draw against Felda United—a top tier Malaysia football club. They edged Sri Lanka 1-0 in the second game and played another goalless draw against hosts Bangladesh. But Napal took the tournament by storm hammering Maldives 4-1 in the semi-finals to pose themselves as title contenders.

 Maharjan said the thumping win against Maldives has rejuvenated the team. “The Maldives hammering has motivated the entire squad. If we repeat the same performance on Wednesday, we will be on the winning side. I am confident that the boys will put on a spirited performance,” added the coach.

Striker Nawayug Shrestha scored a sensational hat-trick against Maldives to signal his arrival as the next star in Nepali football, and on Friday all eyes will be on the Tribhuwan Army Club forward. Apart from Shrestha, the U-19 striker Bimal Gharti Magar and his teammate Anjan Bista will forge the Nepali attacking line.

Bahrain U-23 had managed to make it to the title match despite having a difficult tournament where they finished runners-up to Maldives in Group ‘B’ before edging Bangladesh 1-0 in the semi-finals. However, their strong physique and skills will be the areas to watch out for Nepal. Maharjan said his side has devised a plan against the Bahrain team. “I see them good in set pieces and their big advantage will be their physique but we are technically good,” added the Nepali coach.