Nepal’s head coach Matt Ross and skipper Kiran Chemjong have stressed that the squad was in Vietnam not to lose. Nepal and Vietnam are playing two legs of their Group F fixtures in the 2027 AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers on October 9 and 14.

Speaking with the media in the pre-match conference on Wednesday, Ross said that his team was looking forward to not repeating the devastating result they got against Laos. The 2-1 defeat against Laos on June 10 was Nepal’s first-ever loss against the team in seven games.

“The performance against Laos was very disappointing,” Ross said. “We are looking to improve on it.”

According to the Australian, the team was very excited to be in Vietnam. “And we will be playing for the three points, if not, at least for one point,” he added.

Ross also stressed that the players dream of playing in such tournaments as the platform helps them improve. “The next two games are the perfect opportunity for the team to prove itself, and we have every chance to qualify if we can present a good result in the two games.”

Nepal are currently at the bottom of the group table comprising Malaysia and Laos. They have suffered consecutive losses in the first two games—2-0 against Malaysia on March 25 and 2-3 against Laos on June 10. Nepal still have chances as Malaysia’s points, from two wins in two games, might get deducted after FIFA fined the Malaysian FA for fielding seven ineligible players against Vietnam on June 10.

Each team will play six games in the group stage as they face each other twice—in the home/away format. Nepal have faced Malaysia and Laos in away fixtures and are bound to host the two at home on November 18 and March 31 next year, respectively.

However, as Dasharath Stadium, the only stadium in Nepal that was eligible to host FIFA and AFC matches, has been suspended from hosting the matches after failing to meet the standards, Nepal are likely to travel back to the grounds of Malaysia and Laos.

Nepal are also playing Vietnam at the same venue in their home fixture of October 14.

Head coach Ross and other players have been arguing that the inability to play the home matches at the home ground is a disadvantage.

Meanwhile, Chemjong said that they will be returning home with positive results against Vietnam.

“The entire team has been preparing for this opportunity,” Chemjong said in the conference. “I know the Vietnamese attackers are very good, but we will give our best to get the best out of the game.”