AFC Challenge Cup 2012 : Interview with Nepali Captain , Sagar Thapa !!

Q.How is the Preparation going on?

“This is the biggest game we have ever hosted in Nepal, so the level of training meets the level of Game. We have been working on previous known defects.”

Q.Which part is stronger and which one is considered weaker in Nepali line up?

“Personally, I think every guys are great and they have been working harder in training. Considering previous performance, we have stronger Goal keeper and defense while our midfield has been fine thoroughly. Although our strikers have lot of pressure on them, they need to handle the pressure on game.”

Q.Which is the team you have expected a hard clash with on the group stage?

“No Doubt, Turkmenistan are way ahead in FIFA ranking. It can be a tough competition with them. Also 8 years ago we ended goal less draw with Palestine. In this 8 years gap, they have improved and can give us hard fight.

Q.As a captain how much pressure do you feel and how do you handle it?

“Definitely, there is an additional pressure on captain. We work as a team, motivate each other which helps on reducing pressure. In some case we draw an example of some games which helps to get back the energy level of players.”

Q.How has the supporters been in Nepal?

“It is really great to experience changes on our supporters. We used to get lots of negative feedback from Nepali supporters during our loss some years back. But now football literacy has increased. Supporters praise our game in spite of defeat if we had played well. This is really great to see changes on our supporters.”

Q.How has the coach has been to players?

“It is really great to have Graham Roberts as a coach. He has been a friend to players outside the field and a leader on the ground. During off periods, he offers ice-creams and gets involved in many entertaining activities. He has been 24 hours with players which makes no communication gap. ”

Q.How has the national league and knock out tournaments helped to boost the National Team?

“Certainly daily games and practices helps to improve the performance. It helps a lot on maintaining fitness of players. Few years back there was 3 years pause in league game due to internal affairs. Those were the time to get some revolution within the team but the gap acted as wall. This is why league games helps to improve the team and players and pausing them may hamper.”

Q.Please tell us something about the winning Free kick against Bangladesh:

” It was just about timing. On that game we got 3 chances and I delivered all three free kicks as a cross. In spite of good delivery, our players were unable to gather the ball. So at the last moment, I decided to target the net and suggested the players to wait for return ball. Fortunately, the ball got into the net.”

Q.Do you wish Aaron(Son) to be a footballer?

“I do not want to interfere in his decisions. Lets see his interests and the environment. Its all on his hands and we(I and his mom) has given him full authority to make his decisions.”

Message for Nepali Football Fans.

“This is our home tournament. We have expected lots of support from our Followers. With your love we can go way ahead. ”




Have You Forgotten Sagar's Goal??? Watch::

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