23 August 2012
Maldives vs Nepal Match Preview
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This particular encounter is a first in the rebooted history in the Nehru Cup as both these nations are first time entrants for the tournament.
They have however, met each other before, most recently in a 0-1 loss for the Gorkhalis in the AFC Challenge Cup on home turf back in March.
But with new coach Krishna Thapa, the most tangible emotion is of uncertainty combined with hope as they take part in heir first tournament post-Graham Roberts. While he has held the post of caretaker manager before in January 2011, he has only been with his current crop for less than three weeks.
He is expected not to make too many changes to a decent line-up, sticking to a safe 4-4-2 although he will hope for a better performance than the disappointing goalless crashing out of the aforementioned Chellenge Cup.
With Kiran Chemzong back between the sticks, hopefully Nepal will be a bit less porous in defence. Meanwhile, the back four will likely remain unchenged from the Challenge Cup with Sandip Rai, Sagar Thapa, Rohit Chand and Sabindra Shrestha forming their wall.
A large section of the midfield should remain unchanged too, hopefully continuing the exciting brand of football we know them so well for. Raju Tamang, Nirajan Khadka, Bhola Silwal are all familiar faces while Jagjeet Shrestha should fill in the last blank. The forward line-up should see the continuation of the Jumanu Rai and Anil Gurung partnership.
Is a sytem is working well, there's no need to overhaul it and that should be Krishna Thapa's main objective, to retain the free-flowing system that is Graham Robets' inheritance. Hopefully the short term setback of the AFC Challenge Cup should not see them revert to the South Asian tendency of hoofball.
Old familiar foes...
The Maldives come with a familiar threat, their stubborn defence combined with a real burst of pace on the counter should see much effectiveness in the tournament in general, with most sides quite wobbly on the defensive front.The 4-4-2 is their staple and they are pretty well placed on the wings. It remains to be seen how far their U-22 lads get a run out in the tournament.
But their real strength lies in their forwards with Ali Ashfaq, possibly the most exciting talent in the region leading their charge with the armband as well as the position.
Their defense is mostly solid, with a mix of youth and experience that will see the likes of 21 year old Rilwan Waheed rub shourlders with 29 year old Mohamed Shifan.
Perhaps the central midfield's link-up play will be a bit of a concern for them, but they usually are in good nick against Nepal, as history would show it.
| DID YOU KNOW? |
- Nepal have been winless in their last five games against the Maldives, losing three and drawing two.
- Both managers have had two stints in the same position for their respective countries. While Krishna Thapa has been the caretaker of Nepal twice, Urbanyi has been full manager of the Maldives the same number of times.
- Maldives have all their players plying their trade for clubs in the country itself while Nepal have three currently unattached players in their side.
- The teams have met thirteen times with Nepal winning only thrice and the Maldives coming out on top six times.
Field Report
| AFC Challenge Cup 2012 (ACC) | 10-Mar-2012 | Maldives 1 - Nepal 0 | |
| SAFF Championship (SAFF) | 02-Dec-2011 | Maldives 1 - Nepal 1 | |
| SAFF Championship (SAFF) | 05-Dec-2009 | Maldives 1 - Nepal 1 |
 Maldives   | ||
| 12-Mar-2012 | Maldives 0 - Palestine 2 | ACC |
| 10-Mar-2012 | Maldives 1 - Nepal 0 | ACC |
| 08-Mar-2012 | Turkmenistan 3 - Maldives 1 | ACC |
| 09-Dec-2011 | Maldives 1 - India 3 | SAFF |
| 06-Dec-2011 | Maldives 3 - Bangladesh 1 | SAFF |
 Nepal   | ||
| 12-Mar-2012 | Nepal 0 - Turkmenistan 3 | ACC |
| 10-Mar-2012 | Maldives 1 - Nepal 0 | ACC |
| 08-Mar-2012 | Nepal 0 - Palestine 2 | ACC |
| 09-Dec-2011 | Afghanistan 1 - Nepal 0 | SAFF |
| 06-Dec-2011 | Pakistan 1 - Nepal 1 | SAFF |
- Nehru Cup Match 2 Preview: Maldives vs Nepal - Another chapter in this rivalry set to go
- Nepal coach Krishna Thapa: We will try our best to reach the final
- Maldives coach Istvan Urbanyi believes his team will give in their best despite lack of preparation
- Fan View: Can India win the Nehru Cup for a third time in a row?
Barcelona vs Real Madrid Match Preview
El Clasico is back this Thursday. The Camp Nou will host Barcelona and Real Madrid in the 2012 Supercopa de Espana.
Team news
Barcelona’s starting line-up is unlikely to create surprises. However, Alex Song is in line to receive his first cap as a Barcelona player. The Cameroonian football star completed his transfer from Arsenal to the Camp Nou this week. He successfully passed his medical meaning that he could find a place in Tito Vilanova’s First XI.
Tello provided a couple of assist in Barcelona’s 5-1 demolition of Real Sociedad over the weekend. The young Spaniard may once again be offered a spot alongside Lionel Messi in attack. Cristian Tello actually has scores to settle against Real Madrid’s defence; he was widely branded as the flop of the match when Barcelona last hosted Los Blancos in 2012.
Another Blaugrana star set to make an appearance in the Spanish Super Cup on Thursday is David Villa. The former Valencia talisman is back. He scored a goal on his return to competitive football last Sunday and has been tipped to add more minutes to his playing time against Real Madrid.
For the Spanish giants, Pepe will be missing in defence. However, Mesut Özil and Marcelo have been cleared from their Supercopa de Espana bans by the president of the Spanish Football Federation, Angel Maria Villar.
Analysis
In the absence of Pepe, the Spanish giants will probably find it very hard to close down Lionel Messi and company. The pressure will be on FIFA Ballon d’Or and UEFA Best Player contender Cristiano Ronaldo to show his class at the Camp Nou.
However, Barcelona vs Real Madrid will be more than just the Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo rivalry. Although one of these two superstars could win the match for their respective team, the other players on the pitch will transform El Clasico into a collective battle.
Full analysis: check out the Four factors that electrify Barcelona vs Real Madrid.
Last Supercopa de Espana
August 14, 2011: Real Madrid 2-2 Barcelona
August 17, 2011: Barcelona 3-2 Real Madrid
August 17, 2011: Barcelona 3-2 Real Madrid
Last four meetings
December 10, 2011: Real Madrid 1-3 Barcelona (La Liga)January 18, 2012: Real Madrid 1-2 Barcelona (Copa del Rey)January 25, 2012: Barcelona 2-2 Real Madrid (Copa del Rey)April 21, 2012: Barcelona 1-2 Real Madrid (La Liga)
Relevant facts
• The last six meetings between Barcelona and Real Madrid produced a total of 23 goals, 13 of which were scored by Barcelona.
• The last six Clasicos produced as many as 42 yellow cards and 4 red cards.
• Real Madrid have beaten Barcelona only thrice in all competitions since the year 2008.
• Real Madrid have lost the Spanish Super Cup on four occasions: in 1982, 1995, 2007 and 2011.
• Barcelona have suffered more Spanish Super Cup disappointments than Real Madrid. History records that the Blaugrana lost out on seven occasions between 1985 and 1999.
• Barcelona have the edge with 10 Spanish Super Cup titles in the trophy room compared to Real Madrid’s 8.
• No player has scored more goals than Lionel Messi (8) in the history of the Spanish Super Cup.
Prediction
Barcelona may show a few weaknesses in defence but their midfield and forward lines could be too strong for Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid.
Scores: Barcelona 0-2 Real Madrid
Barcelona vs Real Madrid Live Streams
