Nepal take on Pakistan in the semi-finals of the SAFF U-15 Championship at the ANFA Complex in Satdobato on Thursday.

The U-15 silverware has been elusive so far for Nepal despite reaching the final twice in the past. Nepal made it the title match in 2013 and 2015 and lost to India on both the occasions while also crashing out in the semi-finals in the 2011 and 2017 editions. Before 2017, however, the tournament was branded as the SAFF U-16 Championship.   

Nepal coach Sanoj Shrestha says anything less than lifting the title would be disappointment for his team. Despite setting eyes from the on set, Nepal had a roller coaster ride en route to the semi-finals. They beat Maldives 4-0 and went down 2-1 against the 10-man Bangladeshi to end up as Group ‘A’ runners-up.

Unlike Nepal, Pakistan stunned holders India 2-1 and thumped Bhutan 4-0 to finish Group ‘B’ on top and line up semi-final match against the hosts. “It would be a huge challenge to play against the physically stronger opponents like Pakistan but we will give our best to ensure a place in the final,” said Shrestha.

Against Pakistan, Shrestha was hoping to correct the mistakes they made during their pool games. “We were far from clinical up front against Bangladesh and Maldives. We have worked on that aspect and hopefully our boys will be more sharp when opportunities (to score goals) come,” said Shrestha. Shrestha believes his boys will be spurred on to play better by the home crowd. The coach said he had identified a few outstanding Pakistan players and had devised a plan to neutralise them.

Pakistan, the 2011 champion, are high on confidence after advancing to the last-four on the back of just 20-day training. It was also the first participation of the Pakistan youth team at the international level since the three-year suspension on Pakistan Football Federation was lifted.

Pakistan’s manager and assistant coach Asghar Anjum said that the tournament would serve them as an opportunity to revive Pakistan’s football. Coach Portella said his side was prepared to take on any opponent despite having a short but very meaningful training. The 2015 champions Bangladesh will take on two-time champions India in the day’s first semi-final match.