Church Boys await Paro's challenge in Preliminary Stage

League Champions Church Boys United will play Bhutan's Paro FC in the AFC Challenge League Preliminary Stage at Dasharath Stadium on Tuesday.

In the lead-up to their AFC Challenge League Preliminary Stage clash, coaches and captain address the media brimming with confidence of a positive result from the match. The match is set for Tuesday at Dasharath Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 6 pm.

Paro FC's head coach, Pushpa Lal Sharma, highlighted the challenges his team has faced since arrival but emphasized their readiness for the game. "We had faced challenges since arrival but we take challenges positively. We have good players who can make a good impact on the match," Sharma stated.

He acknowledged the strength of Church Boys United, describing them as nearly equivalent to Nepal's national team, and assured that his team is well-prepared and motivated despite the tough competition.

Paro's captain, Kinley Wanchuk, shared a similar sentiment, looking forward to a better outcome compared to their previous visit, where they suffered a 3-2 loss to Machhindra Football Club in the AFC Cup Preliminary Round 1 last year. "Our preparations are good and we hope for a different result from the last time we were here," Wanchuk said.

Church Boys United's head coach, Bal Gopal Maharjan, expressed satisfaction with his team's balance and preparations, despite the limited time for preparations. "We have played a few friendlies and are happy with the result. We can exploit our opponent if every player plays up to their potential," Maharjan remarked.

He voiced concerns about the rule allowing signing of unlimited foreign players for the competition. Maharjan remains hopeful that his foreign players will be effective in their return to the national stadium.

Church Boys' captain, Ananta Tamang, downplayed any potential issues with the pitch at Dasharath Stadium. "We have a good experience playing at the Stadium. We have a plan and a really gelled team with players who have played together for a long time," Tamang said.

He also addressed the challenge posed by Paro FC's high-profile signing, former Japan international Keisuke Honda, asserting that his team has adjusted well and is not feeling pressured by the presence of big-name players.