KATHMANDU, Sept 12: Three Star Club will take on Iceberg Madhyapur Youth Association (MYA) on Thursday at the Dasharath Stadium in the opening match of the Ncell Cup, a knockout football tournament with highest cash prize in the country.
Two time league champion and the winner of different knockout tournaments, Three Star is a well recognized team. Three Star has been enjoying top-tier football in the country since 2039 BS while MYA reached the A division only last year.
Ncell Cup opener is the only second match of MYA in A division. MYA had played in the British Gurkha Cup but lost to Nepal Army 1-0 in its first match. Thursday´s match is the first encounter between Three Star and MYA.
Upendra Man Singh, former captain of Three Star, is the president and coach of MYA and he is well aware about his former club. "We are a new team in A division and the match against the giant like Three Star is a great opportunity to prove ourselves," said Singh. "Our boys will try to put up our best performance but we are worried that the boys could be nervous against a big opponent," he added.
Singh claimed that MYA has less pressure on Thursday´s match since it is new club. "We have nothing to loose from Thursday´s match and Three Star could feel the heat," said Singh.
Singh also said that he has focused on the fitness of players since MYA does not have star players.
Meanwhile, Three Star Coach Megharaj KC said his team was ready for the tournament. "We are known for beautiful game and we´ll live up to the standard," said KC. "MYA is new opponent for us and we´ll take them cautiously," he added.
KC said that his team will adapt a strategy of taking a match at a time rather than targeting the title. "We are yet to begin our campaign. I´ll not discuss about the title now. We are focusing on the group stage matches for now," said KC.
Along with Three Star and MYA, NIBL Friends Club and Armed Police Force (APF) are slated in the group A of the tournament. All 16 clubs of A division are participating in the tournament.
Ncell Cup winner will get Rs 1.5 million while runner-up will bag Rs 700,000.
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