2012 AFC Challenge Cup: North Korea retain title!

In football sometimes history does repeat itself and it happened this afternoon at the Dashrath Stadium in Kathmandu. Defending champions North Korea retained the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup title with a 2-1 victory against last time runners-up Turkmenistan to qualify as the first team for the 2015 AFC Asian Cup in Australia.

In the earlier third-place playoff match surprise package the Philippines beat Palestine in a seven goal thriller 4-3 to finish third, a huge success for the Southeast Asian nation.


Final: Turkmenistan 1-2 (1-1) North Korea

The final got of to a great start for Turkmenistan, who took a 2nd minute lead when captain Berdy Shamuradov burst through on goal and smashed an unstoppable drive past North Korea goalkeeper Myong-Suk Ri. Interestingly Shamuradov had also scored Turkmenistan's first goal in the 2010 finals.

The North Koreans had more from the match, but the Turkmen defence often held their ground in the first session though conceding the equaliser in the 35th minute when Nam-Chol Pak's cross from the right met an unmarked Il-Gwan Jong, whose header went in past Turkmen keeper Rahmanberdi Alyhanov into the net.

Substitute Arslanmyrat Ammanov rattled the North Korean crossbar with a powerful 67th minute free-kick, but the climax was still to come. Turkmenistan was handed the golden opportunity to win the match in the 83rd minute then Ammanov was brought down in the box by Song-Hyok Jang, but Shamuradov would go on to miss the penalty; while at the other end only a couple of minutes later David Sakisov brought down Kwang-Ryong Park. This time Song-Hyok Jang, who had committed the earlier foul at the other, would step-up and score for North Korea.

It ended 2-1 for North Korea. Once more penalties decided the fate of a final between these two side, once more the East Asians would lift the title and qualify for the AFC Asian Cup.

2012 AFC Challenge Cup: North Korea & Turkmenistan reach final

The two semifinals at the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup were played today at the Dashrath Stadium, Kathmandu. In the first semifinal Group A winners Turkmenistan took on surprise entrants the Philippines, while in the second semifinal defending champions North Korea took on Palestine.

Group B

Turkmenistan 2-1 (0-1) Philippines
Turkmenistan overcame a fighting Philippines to reach the finals of the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup at the Dashrath Stadium, Kathmandu. The Central Asian side won 2-1 and will now try to improve on their runners-up finish in 2010. The Philippines looked more dangerous at the start and took a deserving 25th minute lead when Phil Younghusband headed home Mulders' cross, his fourth of the campaign. But things would change in the second session with Arslanmyrat Amanov equalising for Turkmenistan in the 79th minute and things got worse for the Philippines when Guvanch Abylov robbed fellow substitute Roel Gener the ball and set-up Gahryman Chonkayev who scored the winner with four minutes left to play. The Philippines disappointment was compounded in stoppage-time when keeper Neil Etheridge was red carded for an off the ball incident involving goal scorer Chonkayev.

North Korea 2-0 (1-0) Palestine
Defending champions North Korea have reached the final again with a 2-0 win against Palestine at the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup semifinal at the Dashrath Stadium, Kathmandu. North Korea put pressure on Palestine, but only in the 42nd minute they made the breakthrough with Kwang-Ryong Pak firing the ball into the Palestine net after an earlier shot had bounced back off the underside of the crossbar. The East Asians kept the pressure on the West Asians with the second goal coming in the 69th minute once more through Kwang-Ryong Pak who capitalised on the poor Palestinian defending, skipped past Saleh with ease and side-footed the ball into the empty net to cap a comfortable win. It was enough as North Korea won the match 2-0.

2012 AFC Challenge Cup: Philippines follow North Korea into semifinals

The third and final round Group B matches were played at the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup simultaneously in Kathmandu today. Defending champions North Korea, who already were through, met eliminated India on a dead rubber at the Dashrath Stadium, while Tajikistan took on the Philippines at the Halchowk Stadium to decide the other semifinalist from Group B.

Group B

North Korea 4-0 (2-0) India
North Korea got the better of India with a rather easy 4-0 victory against India at the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup in the Dashrath Stadium, Kathmandu. Only three minutes were played when Kuk-Chol Jang provided a clever back pass to unmarked Kwang-Ik Jon who coolly guided the ball past Indian keeper Subhashish Roy Chowdhury. The Koreans scored their second goal after Subhashish's weak attempt to clear a Chol-Myong Ri cross fell into the path of an unmarked Kwang-Hyok Ri in the 34th minute. The Koreans' dominance continued after the break as Nam-Chol Pak scored his second goal of the tournament when he dribbled past three Indian defenders and Subhashish to put the ball in the empty net and make it 3-0 in the 59th minute. Chol-Myong Ri put his name in the score-sheet in the 70th minute with a brilliant header to seal the comprehensive 4-0 win.

Tajikistan 1-2 (1-0) Philippines
The Philippines scored another upset win, this time a 2-1 against Tajikistan at the Halchowk Stadium, Kathmandu in Group B to qualify for the semifinals at the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup. The Philippines had more of the first session, but Tajik defender Alexey Negmatov gave his side a 1-0 lead in injury-time. But things changed in the 54th minute when Angel Guirado robbed Davronjon Ergashev on the left, charged to the byline and fired the ball past Tuychiev and across the face of goal where Phil Younghusband was on hand to fire the ball into the empty net for his third goal of the tournament. The Southeast Asians were back in the drivers seat and got the winner in the 80th minute when Guirado bravely headed home from close range, with the burly midfielder getting the better of Tuychiev and his defence to send the Azkals through to now face Turkmenistan.

2012 AFC Challenge Cup: India suffer 0-4 North Korea defeat

India suffered a heavy 0-4 defeat against North Korea in their final Group B match in the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup at the Dashrath Stadium in Kathmandu. With the third loss in as many matches, India have finished bottom of Group B with no goal and no points.

North Korea were favourites being into the match and it showed with the Indians unable to keep-up with the Koreans pace and precision, while also continueing to commit mistakes.

North Korea took an early fourth minute lead when Kuk-Chol Jang provided a clever back pass to an unmarked Kwang-Ik Jon who coolly guided the ball past Indian goalkeeper Subhashish Roy Chowdhury. The Koreans scored their second goal after Subhashish's weak attempt to clear a Chol-Myong Ri cross fell into the path of an unmarked Kwang-Hyok Ri, who slotted home in the 34th minute. India's only real chance fell to captain Sunil Chhetri off a cross from Francis Fernandes with the Delhi boy shooting over.

After the break things remained the same. After losing Reisangmi Vashum due to an injury in the first session, Sunil Chhetri limped-off in the second half as North Korea added two more goals. First Nam-Chol Pak beat three Indian defenders and keeper Subhashish in the 59th minute and then in the 70th minute Chol-Myong Ri added another through a header.

After the match a disappointed Savio Medeira said, "Everyone saw it, the team lacked spirit and there was no one willing to show responsibility and as a coach it isn't very heartening to see those things in the field."


MATCH STATS

North Korea 4-0 (2-0) India - Goals: 1-0 Kwang-Ik Jon (4'), 2-0 Kwang-Hyok Ri (34'), 3-0 Nam-Chol Pak (58'), 4-0 Chol-Myong Ri (70')

NORTH KOREA
...
Substitutes: ...

INDIA
25-Subhasish Roy Chowdhury; 4-Nirmal Chetri, 19-Gouramangi Moirangthem Singh, 3-Raju Eknath Gaikwad, 22-Syed Rahim Nabi; 12-Anthony Pereira, 21-Rocus Lamare, 28-Jewel Raja Sheikh (61' 47-Lenny Rodrigues), 32-Reisangmi Vashum (32' 26-Francis Fernandes); 18-Sushil Kumar Singh, 11-Sunil Chhetri [C] (66' 6-C.S. Sabeeth)
Substitutes: 1-Karanjit Singh, 36-Arindam Bhattacharya; 5-Anwar, 9-Joaquim Santan Abranches, 16-Samir Naik, 17-Adil Ahmed Khan, 20-Lalrindika Ralte, 27-Gurjinder Kumar Singh, 40-Kingshuk Debnath

2012 AFC Challenge Cup: Turkmenistan & Palestine qualify for semifinals

The third and final round Group A matches were played at the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup simultaneously in Kathmandu today. While hosts Nepal took on Turkmenistan at the Dashrath Stadium, the Maldives faced Palestine in a do-or-die match to qualify for the semifinals.

Group A

Nepal 0-3 (0-1) Turkmenistan
Turkmenistan made sure that they would top Group A with a 3-0 win against the hosts Nepal in the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup at the Dashrath Stadium, Kathmandu. The game came to life for the first time in the seventh minute when Elman Tagayev slotted the ball past Kiran Kumar after Arslanmyrat Amanov's angled pass easily dissected the loose Nepali defence. Turkmenistan kept the pressure on the Nepali goal, but the scoreline remained only 0-1 at half-time. Nepal were better in the second session, but the Turkmen remained in control and doubled their lead in the 79th minute when Chonkayev slid in near the six yard box but Biraj Maharjan got the last touch for an own goal. A Guvanch Hangeldiyev strike made it 3-0 for Turkmenistan a minute from time. Turkmenistan topped their group due to a better goal difference then Palestine and they now await tomorrow's clash between Tajikistan and the Philippines to find out their semifinal opponents, while Nepal ended a disasterous campaign with a goal and a point.

Maldives 0-2 (0-0) Palestine
Palestine beat the Maldives 2-0 to qualify for the semifinals of the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup at the Halchowk Stadium, Kathmandu. The islanders started the match knowing that a win was needed to see them through and they started like that as Palestine took their time to settle down. After wasting a couple of good chances Palestine finally broke the deadlock in the 59th minute when a lapse of concentration in the Maldives defence allowed Husam Wadi to open the scoring with a powerful header of a Mohammed Mohammed cross. The Maldives tried their best for the equaliser but there was no way through the well-organised Palestine defence and the islanders were caught out against the run of play when Ashraf Al Fawaghra scored with a fine individual effort in injury time as Palestine confirmed their second-place finish behind Turkmenistan and a semifinal match with Group B winners North Korea.

2012 AFC Challenge Cup: India face North Korea in match of honour

Team India after their two 0-2 losses against Tajikistan and the Philippines are out of the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup. Their final Group B game against group winners North Korea is a match of honour, in which India can show what they actually are capable of playing.

Team India has played below par in this tournament so far and the stats against North Korea are not encouraging either. In the 13 matches played between the two sides, India has never won a match against North Korea while the Koreans have 11 wins to their name. So the favourite tag will surely lie with the North Koreans.

India coach Savio Medeira speaking on the sidelines of the training session said, "Whatever had happened is past. We need to look forward. All of us need to support each other and see that whatever mistakes we have committed in the past shouldn't be repeated."

"DPR Korea are the toughest opponent. As they have already qualified for the semis, they would not be under any pressure. We still have many things to prove," he added. "All of us need to do a lot of introspection and then come to a conclusion. We have to take a step forward for the betterment of football in India."

Big words by Savio Medeira, but his boys should now at least try and deliver in the teams final match of the tournament. So far the performances have been below par and unacceptable for the legion of fans of the Bhangra Boys.

2010 AIFF Footballer-of-the-Year, centre-back Gouramangi Singh accepted the lack of being a cohesive effort in the first two matches. "We didn't play as a team. The coordination and understanding wasn't there. We are a young side, we need to develop as a team – that too, fast," Mangi maintained.

Savio is set to make a number of changes in the starting line-up with central midfielder Adil Khan and striker Joaquim Abranches forced to sit out due to niggles.

For North Korea, who are already through to the semifinals, the match against India is a chance to fine tune their team for the bigger challenges ahead. North Korea was clearly the better side against the Philippines and Tajikistan, but their finishing has been awful otherwise victories with bigger margins would have been possible. Hopefully they do not find their magic touch against India.

The kick-off is slated for 15.00 local time (14.45 IST) at the Dashrath Stadium with no national television broadcast in India.

2012 AFC Challenge Cup: North Korea through, India eliminated

The second round Group B matches were played in the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup in Kathmandu today. Defending champions North Korea took on former champions Tajikistan at the Halchowk Stadium, while the Philippines faced another former champions in India at the Dashrath Stadium.

Group B

Tajikistan 0-2 (0-1) North Korea
Defending champions North Korea confirmed their place in the semifinals of the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup with a 2-0 victory against Tajikistan at the Halchowk Stadium, Kathmandu on Sunday. The North Koreans made a perfect start as they took the lead after just four minutes when Nam-Chol Pak was given too much time and space by the Tajik defence, allowing the midfielder to fire low past keeper Alisher Tuychiev. The North Korean had more of the game, but their finishing let them down as only four minutes from time they seal their victory when substitute Kuk-Chol Jang overcame a poor first touch to create space and beat Tuychiev from inside the penalty area.

Philippines 2-0 (1-0) India
The Philippines upset India 2-0 at the Dashrath Stadium, Kathmandu to keep their chances of progressing to the semifinals at the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup alive, while the 2008 champions are out of the competition. Former Chelsea FC Youth player Philip Younghusband scored both the goals for the Azkals on either side of the break. Younghusband showed his skills inside the box after receiving a sublime cross from the flank by fullback Jason Sabio and coolly directed the ball past India keeper Karanjit Singh as the Philippines took a 1-0 lead in the 11th minute. Man of the match Younghusband completed his brace and put the match beyond India's reach after a brilliant one-two with his brother James Younghusband before finding the top corner in the 74th minute that left Karanjit rooted to the spot. Chettri got a golden opportunity to reduce the deficit in the 87th minute but he fired the ball well wide from the 18-yard box after Sushil Singh fed the unmarked striker with Azkals goalie Neil Etheridge nowhere in sight. For India their match on Tuesday against North Korea is just of statistical interest, while the Philippines have a real final against Tajikistan then the winner would move into the semifinals.

2012 AFC Challenge Cup: India lose, out of tournament

India suffered a 0-2 loss against the Philippines in their second Group B match at the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup at the Dashrath Stadium in Kathmandu and are out of the tournament with still a match against North Korea to play. Former Chelsea FC Youth player Philip Younghusband scored both the goals for the Azkals on either side of the break.

India coach Savio Medeira made two changes to his starting eleven with Reisangmi Vashum coming in for Anthony Pereira on the right-wing, while Joaquim Abranches started for Sushil Kumar Singh upfront. One hoped for a better performance from the Bhangra Boys.

India had the first chance of the match with Reisangmi Vashum shooting over, but then Philip Younghusband gave the Philippines the 10th minute lead after his shot beat the Indian defence and goalkeeper Karanjit Singh. Thereafter India had more of the ball, but simply wasn't dangerous in attack with Joaquim Abranches only once shooting the ball goalwards.

After the break the Philippines remained the more dangerous side and the result was the 2-0 in the 74th minute once more through Philip Younghusband, who scored off a pass from his brother James. India only had once good chance thereafter as Sushil Singh found Sunil Chhetri, but the captain blasted over.

India are out of the competition with the match against defending champions North Korea on Tuesday, March 13 remaining. Thereafter Team India needs to introspect and ask itself why it hasn't worked in Kathmandu.


MATCH STATS

Philippines 2-0 (1-0) India - Goals: 1-0,2-0 Philip Younghusband (10',74')

PHILIPPINES
1-Neil Etheridge; 14-Carlos Carlie Alberto Olaivar Martinez De Murga, 42-Jason Abbott Abantao Sabio, 2-Robert James Dazo Gier, 27-Ray Anthony Pepito Jónsson; 7-James Joseph Placer Younghusband [C], 22-Paul Mulders, 5-Juan Luis Guirado Aldeguer, 12-Ángel Aldeguer Guirado; 10-Philip James Placer Younghusband, 13-Emelio Asada Caligdong
Substitutes: 41-Eduard Sacapaño, 44-Jose Paolo Aragon Pascual, 2-Robert James Dazo Gier, 6-Roel Rowena Gener, 17-Jason Nicolas Maria Dantes de Jong, 19-Nestorio Margarse, 24-Marwin Janver Malinay Angeles, 29-Lexton de la Cruz Moy, 35-Dennis Mengoy Cagara, 36-Bongbong Roxy Dorlas, 37-Angelo Marasigan Verheye, 9-Misagh Median Bahadoran, 23-Ian Bayona Araneta, 34-Nathaniel George Payos Burkey

INDIA
1-Karanjit Singh, 16-Samir Naik, 19-Gouramangi Moirangthem Singh, 3-Raju Eknath Gaikwad, 22-Syed Rahim Nabi; 32-Reisangmi Vashum (70' 18-Sushil Kumar Singh), 21-Rocus Lamare, 17-Adil Ahmed Khan (33' 28-Jewel Raja Sheikh), 26-Francis Fernandes; 9-Joaquim Santan Abranches, 11-Sunil Chhetri [C]
Substitutes: 25-Subhasish Roy Chowdhury, 36-Arindam Bhattacharya; 4-Nirmal Chetri, 5-Anwar, 6-C.S. Sabeeth, 12-Anthony Pereira, 20-Lalrindika Ralte, 27-Gurjinder Kumar Singh, 40-Kingshuk Debnath, 47-Lenny Rodrigues

2012 AFC Challenge Cup: Host Nepal out, others target Semis

The second round Group A matches were played in the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup in Kathmandu today. While Palestine met Turkmenistan at the Halchowk Stadium, later in the day the Maldives faced the hosts Nepal at the Dashrath Stadium.

Group A

Palestine 0-0 Turkmenistan
Palestine and Turkmenistan played out a goalless draw in their second Group A match in the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup at the Halchowk Stadium. With both teams now on four points and the Maldives on three it leaves the group wide open with the final round matches to be played on Monday. The first half was a dull affair with Turkmenistan having more of the ball, while Palestine was content to allow their opponents more of the possession. But things changed after the break as Palestine were suddenly in the game and had their chances, while Turkmenistan had chances for a late winner.

Maldives 1-0 (0-0) Nepal
Host Nepal are out of the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup after 0-1 defeat against the Maldives at the Dashrath Stadium. The Nepalis have only themselves to blame as they dominated most of the match, but simply failed to score. Meanwhile the Maldives are back in the race for a semifinal spot as they have their destiny in their own hands against Palestine. After a goalless first session it was the Maldives that took the lead against the run of play, with Mohamed Rasheed capitalising on some slack Nepal defending to fire the ball low past Ritesh and in off his left-hand post. Nepal tried to get the equaliser, but it wasn't to be.

2012 AFC Challenge Cup: Do or Die match for India & the Philippines

Team India had the worst possible start into the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup yesterday with their opening 0-2 loss against Tajikistan. Tomorrow they now face the Philippines, who had also lost their opening match, 0-2 against North Korea, at the Dashrath Stadium in Kathmandu. It is a do or die match for the Bhangra Boys and the Azkals which should guarantee a good encounter between these two teams.

India coach Savio Medeira has come in for heavy criticism for his team selection with some players getting a start, who looked totally out of sorts during the match, especially Anthony Pereira, Francis Fernandes and Sushil Kumar Singh. If Savio will make the necessary changes will have to be seen as the midfield and strikers could not make their mark on the match.

"At times you don't get the results which you strive for. But that won't deter us to be committed for our future success. We will keep trying and give our 100 percent to get the result we all are striving for," Savio quipped with confidence about his team.

And surprisingly Savio added, "We had a spirited performance against Tajikistan. But we squandered some good chances to score in the first half. Hope things will improve in our next match."

"We need to believe in ourselves and keep on playing good football, the result will come," continued Savio.

Captain Sunil Chhetri, who himself is still recovering from an injury, on the sidelines of the training session remained optimistic of staging a comeback and said, "It's going to be another tough match but we are ready and we can pull off a great result on Sunday. We all will stay focused and do whatever is expected of us."

The Philippines are in a similar situation with their German coach Michael Weiss having stitched together a team of Filipino-origin players from across the globe along with local talent. You have players who learned their football in England, Germany and Denmark in the squad and that makes the Azkals a dangerous outfit.

The Philippines are currently two places above India in the FIFA world rankings at 156, but the Southeast Asian nation has never beaten India; which should be a piece of statistics that Savio Medeira and his men would like to defend.

The kick-off is slated for 17.00 local time (16.45 IST) with no national television broadcast in India.

2012 AFC Challenge Cup: North Korea & Tajikistan start with wins

The 2012 AFC Challenge Cup also started for the teams in Group B as defending champions North Korea faced the Philippines at the Halchowk Stadium, while in a match-up of former champions India faced Tajikistan at the Dashrath Stadium.

Group B

North Korea 2-0 (0-0) Philippines
Defending champions North Korea made a winning start into the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup with a 2-0 win against the Philippines at the Halchowk Stadium. North Korea were all over the Philippines in the first season, but Fulham FC number two goalkeeper Neil Etheridge denied the Koreans in the first session on numerous occasions. The North Koreans finally broke the deadlook through Nam-Chol Pak's 58th minute header before Etheridge failed to deal with a high cross from the right, allowing substitute Kuk-Chol Jang to double the defending champions' lead 11 minutes later.

India 0-2 (0-0) Tajikistan
India suffered an opening match 0-2 loss against Tajikistan in the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup at the Dashrath Stadium, Kathmandu. After an opening half in which both sides had their chances, but often evened each other out; things changed after the break. On the hour mark the Tajiks went ahead through Akhtam Khamrakulov as India could not clear inside the box. Only six minutes later striker Nuriddin Davranov made it 2-0 for Tajikistan with a nice placed shot from outside the box beating the outstretched hands of Karanjit Singh following a corner. Thereafter India could not come back into the match as the Tajiks took revenge for the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup final loss.

2012 AFC Challenge Cup: India lose opener against Tajikistan

India lost their opening 2012 AFC Challenge Cup match 0-2 against Tajikistan at the Dashrath Stadium in Kathmandu, Nepal. From now on reaching the semifinals will be an uphill task as India would most likely have to win both their remaining fixtures to get through.

Tajikistan had a better start into the game with the central Asians putting India initially under some pressure as India needed time to settle down. But after the quarter hour mark India got a few half chances with first Sunil Chhetri giving it a try but his attempt went way wide, then came Rocus Lamare's effort from outside the box but it was easily collected by the Tajik goalkeeper and then on a counter-attack Sunil Chhetri found Anthony Pereira free on the right but he blasted high-and-wide.

Thereafter the match was mainly confined to the midfield with both sides looking for possession as both sets of defenders stood their ground and the strikers were unable to penetrate. India had more of the ball, but the Tajiks looked more dangerous whenever they attacked. The first session ended goalless.

After the break a similar picture before the Tajiks once more started to press harder and on the hour mark they went ahead through Akhtam Khamrakulov as India could not clear inside the box. Only six minutes later striker Nuriddin Davranov made it 2-0 for Tajikistan with a nice placed shot from outside the box beating the outstretched hands of Karanjit Singh following a corner.

India were shocked after conceding the two quick goals and for the remainder of the match the Tajiks looked more capable of scoring a third then India reducing the deficit. The team simply had no real firepower upfront to cause danger to the Tajik goal. It ended 2-0 for Tajikistan.


MATCH STATS

India 0-2 (0-0) Tajikistan - Goals: 0-1 Akhtam Khamrakulov (60'), 0-2 Nuriddin Davranov (65')

INDIA
1-Karanjit Singh, 16-Samir Naik, 19-Gouramangi Moirangthem Singh, 3-Raju Eknath Gaikwad, 22-Syed Rahim Nabi; 12-Anthony Pereira (68' 28-Jewel Raja Sheikh), 21-Rocus Lamare, 17-Adil Ahmed Khan, 26-Francis Fernandes; 18-Sushil Kumar Singh (81' 9-Joaquim Santan Abranches), 11-Sunil Chhetri [C]

TAJIKISTAN
1-Alisher Tuysher; 44-Alexey Negmatov, 4-Eraj Rajabov, 6-Davronjon Ergashev, 3-Sohib Savankulov; 11-Farkhod Tokhirov (79' 34-Ilhomzhon Ortikov), 10-Dzhakhongir Dzhalilov, 8-Sakhmadali Adykov, 18-Fatkhulo Fatkhulloev (86' 17-Dilshod Vasiev); 13-Akhtam Khamrakulov (70' 22-Yusuf Rabiev), 9-Nuriddin Davranov

2012 AFC Challenge Cup: India start against Tajikistan

Team India start their 2012 AFC Challenge Cup campaign tomorrow with a match-up between former champions as the Bhangra Boys face Tajikistan in their Group B opener at the Dashrath Stadium, Kathmandu.

Team India will have fond memories about the last meeting of the two sides, then it was in the final of the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup in New Delhi which India won in emphatic fashion, a 4-1 drubbing with Sunil Chhetri scored a hattrick and India qualifying for the 2011 AFC Asian Cup. A repeat would be the perfect start as India should go into the match with a psychological advantage.

India coach Savio Medeira said, "The team is raring to go against Tajikistan. All the boys are charged up for the match. I am confident they will come out with their best for the clash and we will be able to secure all the points."

"We will fight till the last second of the match. We would not give any chance to our rivals," Savio confidently added.

Captain Sunil Chhetri spoke on the sidelines of the practice session, "We have come over here with only one objective and that is to win at any cost. We won't leave any stone unturned to achieve our goal. All the players including me would try to repeat our performance of the SAFF Championship."

And Sunil Chhetri's confidence is something which can be seen across the squad, which is waiting for the start of the tournament.

Savio Medeira is likely to stay away from any experiments with his team. Karanjit Singh will start as number one in goal with Samir Naik, Gouramangi Singh, Raju Gaikwad and Syed Rahim Nabi in defence; the midfield will be made-up of Anthony Pereira, Adil Khan, Rocus Lamare and Francis Fernandes; while upfront Sunil Chhetri will be joined by Sushil Kumar Singh. Some are surprised that Nirmal Chetri, Lalrindika Ralte and Joaquim Abranches look unlikely to get a start.

The Tajiks meanwhile also have come with the aim to get as far as possible and get a good start against India. Tajikistan is currently 145th in the FIFA world rankings, 13 places ahead of India, with their top star being Yusuf Rabiev.

The kick-off is slated for 17.00 local time (16.45 IST) with the match to be telecast only on Kolkata TV in India. There will be no national broadcast.

2012 AFC Challenge Cup: Sunil Chhetri to captain India!

India National Team Head Coach Savio Medeira has appointed star striker Sunil Chhetri to lead Team India in the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup was held in Kathmandu, Nepal from March 8 to 19, 2012. Meanwhile allrounder Syed Rahim Nabi has been made his deputy in the Team Meeting on Monday in Kathmandu.

Coach Savio Medeira expressed confidence on the choice and said, "Both Sunil and Nabi are quality players. They have earned the respect of every one, by their team play and leadership quality."

"Sunil did a good job last December at the SAFF Championship, where he led from the front. Sunil has matured a lot. While Nabi has been one of the consistent performers for India in the recent times and has an experience to Captain at the club level," he maintained.

"It's a matter of pride and great responsibility to lead the country in such an important tournament. I feel privileged for such an honour. I would try my best to win the title and qualify for the Asian Cup," quipped Sunil Chhetri.

India play their first match of the tournament against Tajikistan on March 9, face the Philippines on March 11 and final their group engagements against North Korea on March 13.

2012 AFC Challenge Cup: India arrive in Nepal

The Indian national football team has arrived in Kathmandu for the upcoming 2012 AFC Challenge Cup, which will be held in Nepal from March 8 to 19. The Bhangra Boys were welcomed by All Nepal Football Association officials at Kathmandu's Tribhuwan International Airport.

On arrival the luggage of some Indian footballers was missing at the Tribhuwan International Airport, but the luggage was later tracked and then send to the Team India hotel.

India have been drawn in the tougher Group B along with defending champions North Korea, former champions Tajikistan and the Philippines, while Group A consists of hosts Nepal, Maldives, Palestine and Turkmenistan. The winner of the tournament will earn a ticket to the 2015 AFC Asian Cup in Australia. India launch their campaign in the tournament against Tajikistan on March 9

Despite being drawn in the Group of Death, national coach Savio Medeira sounded optimistic. "We are in a tough group for sure but are confident of defending the title. The team is the right blend of youth and experienced players."

AIFF Player-of-the-Year Sunil Chhetri, who had scored a hattrick against Tajikistan in the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup final to guide India to the 2011 AFC Asian Cup, added, "We are a capable side with a lot of potential. We will go all out to attain our goal for our fans."


INDIA

Goalkeepers
Arindam Bhattacharya (Churchill Brothers SC), Subhasish Roy Chowdhury (Dempo SC), Karanjit Singh (Salgaocar SC),

Defenders
Anwar (Mohun Bagan AC), Nirmal Chetri (East Bengal Club), Kingshuk Debnath (Mohun Bagan AC), Raju Eknath Gaikwad (East Bengal Club), Syed Rahim Nabi (Mohun Bagan AC), Sameer Subash Naik (Dempo SC), Gouramangi Moirangthem Singh (Churchill Brothers SC), Gurjinder Singh (Pune FC)

Midfielders
Francis Fernandes (Salgaocar SC), Adil Ahmed Khan (Sporting Clube de Goa), Rocus Lamare (Salgaocar SC), Anthony Pereira (Dempo SC), Jewel Raja Sheikh (Mohun Bagan AC), Lalrindika Ralte (Churchill Brothers SC), Lenny Rodrigues (Churchill Brothers SC), Reisangmi Vashum (East Bengal Club)

Forwards
Joaquim Santan Abranches (Dempo SC), Sunil Chhetri (Mohun Bagan AC), C.S. Sabeeth (Pailan Arrows), Sushil Kumar Singh (Shillong Lajong FC)