This is the first encounter of the Jawalakhel against Army after the Martyrs Memorial A Division League which concluded on July 16 earlier this year. [break]
Jawalakhel, studded with some best foreign players, finished third while Army managed to finish eighth in league. During the league Jawalakhel and Army had played 1-1 stalemate. Laxmi Nath Shrestha had scored for Jawalakhel while Santosh Nepali had hit back the equalizer in the league.
The coaches of both the teams claim to have undergone huge preparation for the tournament.
"Despite our first meeting with Jawalakhel, we have made good preparation for the tournament," Army coach Yogamabr Suwal told Republica adding that he was unaware about the opponents´ preparation.
"We have undergone continuous training after the league, so we are in good form. We will frame out strategy according to the opponent´s playing style in the match," Suwal said.
Army´s skipper and goalkeeper Bikash Malla and midfielder Raju Tamang are in the close camp of the national team. The departmental team will field Gangaral Deuja in place of Malla and Nawayug Shrestha in place of Tamang. "Deuja and Shrestha will be sound replacement for the duos," an official of the Army team said.
- Related news: MMC pulls out of Safal Cup
Jawalakhel, the winner of the last edition of Tilottama Gold Cup held in Butwal also expressed satisfaction towards its performance.
The team has been training since last week, according to the coach Kishor KC. "The team is in good form due to the ongoing training," KC said, adding that the training will be helpful for the tournament.
Nepal Army team
"We have high target and expect good results in Pokhara as our players´ confidence level is also high," said KC.
Altogether 11 teams including top eight teams of the Martyrs Memorial A Division League, other than Laxmi Hyundai Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC), Pokhara XI of the host and three clubs from abroad are participating in the tournament.
The cash prize--Rs 250,000 for the winner and Rs 125,000 for runner-up--announced by the organizers is the highest for football tournaments being held outside capital.
Related story
Mixed results for host Jawalakhel
