Dear Graham Roberts; We Will Miss You!

The first day when he took the helm, he was in Chaauni Barrack with pool of players, training on the dusty field. With football boot on, white man was shouting at the players, come on.. pile up.. pile up..!

That was the month of February 2011. Graham Roberts was here in Nepal to coach Nepal National Football team for three months. AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers was coming nearer and it was Roberts' duty to make sure Gorkhalis would do better in the qualifiers. 


Before the qualifiers, Nepal invited Bhutan in Pokhara where Coach Roberts tasted his first victory with the team in two match series.

AFC Challenge Cup Qualifiers was successful. The target was to qualify for the final round and the Gorkhalis did it!  Roberts penetrated into the hearts' of Nepalese football lovers after Nepal played an outstanding game against World Cupper North Korea which Gorkhalis lost 1-0.

Then came, FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. Nepalese people danced in a tune, took out victory Parade and chanted "Roberts..Roberts" when Nepal hammered lowly Timor Leste 5-1 in an aggregate win in two matches. Nepal progressed to the second round of FIFA World Cup qualifiers for the first time.

FIFA World Cup qualifiers second round against Jordan was another event to remember. Nepal lost heavily against Jordan (0-9) in the first round in Amman but Gorkhalis showed their power in the second round at home. The score 1-1 rocked the nation and Graham Paul Roberts became the hot cake in the market!

Roberts also looked after Nepal U-16 team in SAFF Championship U-16 which was held in Kathmandu. The team clinched bronze medal.

The most anticipated tournament was next - SAFF Championship 2011. For this, Graham Roberts personally asked ANFA to arrange a month long foreign tour for the team ahead of the SAFF Championship. Nepal National team travelled ASEAN Countries and played four friendly matches in 22 days. The trip was forgettable but Roberts built a strong  team for the SAFF Championship. 


The team performed well in India but lady luck was against Gorkhalis and was beaten by surprising Afghanistan in the semifinals.

Nepal entered Semifinals after 12 Years..... Nepal defeated Bangladesh after 18 years............all records were registered in the tournament.

AFC Challenge Cup Football tournament became the last tournament for Roberts in charge as the head coach.

Unfortunately, the results didn't greet Roberts well!

Matches Under Roberts (International Matches only Not with U-23 & U-19)

14 Matches: Six Wins, 4 Draws and Four Defeats

Achievements: 

Semifinals entry in SAFF Championship 2011, Second Round Entry In FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, Bronze Medal for Nepal in SAFF U-16 Championship,

Relationship with media: 

Roberts' relationship with media wasn't that pleasing but Roberts knew how to handle the press and he did throughout the year.

Roberts has decided to leave country on Thursday.

Roberts is a brave man. He is the winner. He doesn't want to loose the match. In fact, he is the match winner.

The man Roberts who lost three teeth in English FA Cup final refused to leave the field but he is leaving Nepal  though thousands of Nepalese footy fans want him to stay here in Nepal!

You must thinking how Roberts can leave Nepal when Thousands of Nepalese football lovers are insisting him to stay in Nepal. Why Do You Think The Brave Man Is Leaving Nepal?