Just a step away from their second age group title, hosts Nepal are taking on arch rivals India in the final match of the Saff U-15 Championship at the Anfa Complex in Satdobato on Sunday.

Nepal’s only title in the age group tournament was the 2015 Saff U-19 Championship where they had beaten India in the final after the match was decided through tie breakers at the Anfa Complex. Nepal will have an opportunity to recreate the history but not before going through a stern India test.

The match will also be an opportunity for Nepal to avenge the 2-1 loss they suffered during the league stage match against India.

For the visitors India, the match will be chance to stamp their domination in age group having already ruled senior level football in the South Asian region. Nepal coach Sunil Shrestha knows it is going to be a big challenge to sideline India.

“We have already played with them and they are tough to beat,” said Shrestha ahead of final. “But we have been improving match-by-match and the final will be an opportunity for us to take a revenge of the defeat we were inflicted in the group stage game.”

Shrestha’s Indian counterpart Bibiano Fernandes is also aiming to return home maintaining their winning streak. India have won all three matches en route to the final scoring 14 and conceding just one goal, which was scored by Nepal. “We will try to continue our winning momentum. The title  will be a big boost for AFC U-16 Championship Qualifiers preparations,” he said.

The biennial tournament has been initiated by South Asian Football Federation (Saff) since 2011 to prepare the sub continental teams for the AFC U-16 Championship Qualifiers. The tournament was named Saff U-16 Championship for the last three editions before being renamed as U-15 Championship. The AFC U-16 Championship Qualifiers are set to take place from September 16 to 24.

Indian skipper Vikram Pratap Singh said the win in the final will give them a big boost for Qualifiers. Despite their win in group stage, the Indian team are in no mood to underestimate the hosts who are expected to be backed up by a vibrant supporters. “Although we beat Nepal in the group stage, the final is going to be a completely different story. It is very difficult to beat Nepal two times in a row,” said Fernandes adding: “We will have a different approach in the final and I think Nepal will also have a different strategy compared to the league stage. It might be difficult for us in the final.”

Nepal have scored 11 and conceded four goals in three matches on the way to the final. Defensive lapses, midfielders’ inability to possess the ball and mis-passes have been the major flaws for Nepal in the tournament. They have frequently chosen to play long passes against the plan of their coaches in the previous matches. Coach Shrestha is also considering to make changes on the team and their performances.

“We have already played against them and have prepared accordingly for the final. Unlike our group match against India, we will play short passes as the opponents will have physical advantage. We had conceded silly goals in the group rounds and we need to be correct that mistake,” said Shrestha adding that he will also make changes in the team, however refusing to reveal about it.

India have a 100 percent winning record against Nepal in the last three editions of the Saff U-16 Championship.

Nepal had bowed down to India in the semi-finals of 2011 and 2015 before crashing to their closest neighbours in the 2013 final. The group stage defeat in the current tournament made it Nepal’s fourth defeat in a row and Shrestha believed that his side has the opportunity to create history.

The third place match between Bangladesh and Bhutan is scheduled at the APF grounds in Halchowk on the same day.