Posted by: sherlock September 8, 2013
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Quite a thrilling way to crash out. I can't speak for others but as an adult, this was the first time I'd managed to properly follow (watch live) the national team (SAFF '99 was ages ago!). Getting up in the wee hours (sometimes, even earlier) to watch Man United play is one thing but doing the same to watch Nepal play was kinda different expereince. After so many disappointing campaigns ever since we made it to that final, this tournament had way too many positives that clearly outshadowed the negatives.
The way we played and outplayed our opponents was thoroughly impressive. The energy and speed with which our players played was quite captivating, too. It was kinda disappointing to see us concede such an awful goal and miss two penalties but not everything goes your way, does it? Even Baggio, Messi and Ronaldo have missed crucial penalties in their careers.
Our defense, strikers and defensive midfielders performed exceptionally well but it seemed we seemed to lack an attacking midfielder of Fabregas, Sneijder, Ozil mold big time. We didn't succeed in playing through balls a whole lot throughout the tournament. Matter of fact, if I remember correctly, Bimal Gharti Magar's through ball was the only penetrating pass that stood out throughout the tournament.
Rohit Chand was a revelation! Deploying him as a midfielder seemed to be a stroke of genius. It was extremely disheartening to see him breaking down after his miss. We certainly seem to have an abundance of talent to improve the side from here on. A youngin like Bimal Gharti Magar managing to burst into the International Arena at such a tender age was quite delightful.
Afghanistan did seem to have a few technically gifted players but they certainly seemed baffled by the way we were attacking them throughout the game.
On a different note, Kiran Limbu getting into Afghanistan's box during a corner kick on the 90th minute was truly appalling, especially when you consider what was forthcoming - a lengthy extra time after a series of injuries and incidents in the second half! I don't hold any grudges for the goal he conceded but I'd have been outraged if we'd conceded a goal with 7-8 minutes still to play in the game!
The way we played and outplayed our opponents was thoroughly impressive. The energy and speed with which our players played was quite captivating, too. It was kinda disappointing to see us concede such an awful goal and miss two penalties but not everything goes your way, does it? Even Baggio, Messi and Ronaldo have missed crucial penalties in their careers.
Our defense, strikers and defensive midfielders performed exceptionally well but it seemed we seemed to lack an attacking midfielder of Fabregas, Sneijder, Ozil mold big time. We didn't succeed in playing through balls a whole lot throughout the tournament. Matter of fact, if I remember correctly, Bimal Gharti Magar's through ball was the only penetrating pass that stood out throughout the tournament.
Rohit Chand was a revelation! Deploying him as a midfielder seemed to be a stroke of genius. It was extremely disheartening to see him breaking down after his miss. We certainly seem to have an abundance of talent to improve the side from here on. A youngin like Bimal Gharti Magar managing to burst into the International Arena at such a tender age was quite delightful.
Afghanistan did seem to have a few technically gifted players but they certainly seemed baffled by the way we were attacking them throughout the game.
On a different note, Kiran Limbu getting into Afghanistan's box during a corner kick on the 90th minute was truly appalling, especially when you consider what was forthcoming - a lengthy extra time after a series of injuries and incidents in the second half! I don't hold any grudges for the goal he conceded but I'd have been outraged if we'd conceded a goal with 7-8 minutes still to play in the game!