Team Nepal is all set to play their first match of the tour, which is an International friendly against Iraq. The match will be played at Al Fayhaa Stadium in Basra at 7:30 pm local time (NST 10:15 pm NST).
Nepali team had a light training ahead of match day in Basra Sports Complex on Thursday evening.
The match will be the first test for recently appointed Abdullah Almutairi who has already won many Nepal’s fans heart off-field. His on-field performance is yet to be tested.
Speaking to the media, coach Almutairi said that the friendly against Iraq was more about performance rather than the result.
As per quoted in official website of ANFA, Abdullah said,: “I hope it is going to be a learning experience for our young squad. Rather than seeking the result, it is about evaluating yourself and trying to improve on it in the future.”
National team skipper Kiran Chemjong said that the match against Iraq is a great opportunity for team Nepal and will be a good experience ahead of World Cup Qualifiers matches in Kuwait.
Nepal has played three times against Iraq losing on all three occasions. The latest of the match was in April, 2001 when Iraq defeated Nepal 4-2 in World Cup Qualifier.
The friendly match against Iraq will be followed by second round of World Cup Qualifiers against Chinese Taipei on June 3, against Jordan on June 7 and against Australia on June 11.