Nepal defeated Singapore 1-0 for their first win against them in a friendly match, with Gillespye Jung Karki scoring the lone goal. The match marked the debut for head coach Matt Ross and ended a historic streak of losses. Concerns about broadcast quality marred the fan experience, prompting discussions about future games.
Nepal achieved a historic victory over Singapore, marking their first win against them in a friendly match at the National Stadium in Kallang, with the only goal scored by Gillespye Jung Karki in the 12th minute. This victory is particularly significant as it comes during the debut match of new head coach Matt Ross and ends a series of three losses and one draw to Singapore, with all previous encounters being held 36 years ago.
The first clash between Nepal and Singapore occurred on May 5, 1982, resulting in a 0-2 defeat for Nepal during the King’s Cup. In the 1986 Nepal Panchayat Silver Jubilee Cup, Nepal managed to achieve a goalless draw against Singapore. Nepal’s subsequent matches were in the World Cup Qualifiers in 1989 where they faced two losses, 0-3 and 0-7.
Karki’s goal on Friday represented the first goal scored by Nepal against Singapore, a milestone achievement. Coach Ross expressed confidence in his team, highlighting the excellent performance of goalkeeper and captain Kiran Chemjong, who prevented multiple threats from Singapore, especially during the final minutes of the match. Teenager Subash Bam Thakuri also made his senior debut during this game.
Despite an early advantage with Karki’s goal, Singapore maintained a strong attacking presence. Chemjong was pivotal in sustaining their lead as he made crucial saves, including a one-on-one against Harhys Stewart. Nepal also benefited from a crossbar save during injury time, enhancing their defense.
However, the conditions surrounding their participation in the match were less favorable. If the Dasharath Stadium had met international standards set by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), the team would have played at home. Consequently, Nepal exchanged their scheduled away match with Malaysia, leading to this friendly in Singapore.
Despite the considerable attendance of Nepali fans, the match broadcast faced significant criticism for poor visual quality; fans could not clearly see Karki’s crucial goal. Concerns have emerged about experiencing similar technical issues for the upcoming match against Malaysia, given the mixed reception of the web and TV broadcasts during this friendly.
Nepal’s victory over Singapore signifies a significant accomplishment for their football journey, especially under the leadership of new coach Matt Ross. Despite the challenges related to fan engagement and poor broadcast quality, the team’s performance, particularly from goalkeeper Kiran Chemjong, ensured a successful match. Looking ahead, the squad aims to maintain momentum and build on this victory in their next encounter against Malaysia.
Original Source: kathmandupost.com
