The scene of the practice ground here just next to the venue of tomorrow' (Monday) first WC qualifier first leg is quite busy and excited. Coach Shyam Thapa is together with assistants Balgopal Maharjan and Upendra Man Singh working over the set pieces and formation that Team Nepal will be using against fiery Oman.

4-2-3-1 is the unanimous formula here for all the three coaches and that is what may just click well when minnows Nepal are playing giants Oman, that too with less preparations and confused background. The formula concerns modern football trend applicable when a weak lot has to challenge a strong one. But worrying is the fear that Nepali guys are always used to play 4-4-2 formations.

Here the guidelines for the players are so much tough to follow and require the whole team giving away their two hundred percent fight to make a respected result. When they attack, four players must be available in the opponent zone for pressure and to raise hopes for goals. When they defend, only one can remain upward, rest 9 should be down.

To make Nepali game as such, the side have unique inventions in the middle of the park. For the first ever time in their international career and probably in local too, NTSC central defender Lok Bandhu Gurung and CMMC all-rounder Tashi Chhiring are playing in the center midfield. They have to hold the game at large, come down for defensive support and also create good moves in attacks and counter attacks.
The most probable first line-up is:

RH - Sagar Thapa - CD Rakesh Shresths - AD - Sanjeev Budhathoki - LH - Anjan KC
 
CRDM - Tashi Tsering - CLDM - Lok Bandhu Gurung
 
RM - Nirajan Rayamajhi - CM - Pradip Maharjan - LM - Jumanu Rai

Most noticeable is that the players are not getting their usual positions. Like Tashi and Lok, there is comeback hero Nirajan and Jumanu Rai in the wings. Midfield-centred Pradeep may have to look for cashing long-range opportunities and fine-tuning the mid-work. It seems the assignments for the players are quite suitable in respect to the nature of the clash they are taking on.

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