MANILA, Philippines - The head coach of the Nepal national football team is disappointed over his side's performance against the Philippine Azkals last Tuesday in the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
Nepal coach Graham Roberts with Azkals coach Michael Weiss.
Graham Roberts' players were thoroughly outclassed by the Azkals, losing 0-4 against an inspired Philippine side.
"I am feeling ashamed of my boys for the first time," Roberts said in the post-match presser, as reported by Goal Nepal, the country's football portal.
"We didn't play football. We didn't pass the ball," he added. "I would like to blame the first half. We were outclassed but we played better football in the second half."
He was especially disappointed in their defense, calling it "dismal."
The Azkals are ranked lower than Nepal in the FIFA rankings, something that coach Roberts dismissed as unimportant before the match.
"Rankings is not a great deal and low rank doesn't mean they are weak," he told Nepalese website My Republica. "I have seen the Philippines side play, they are a very tough side."
But Roberts is treating the loss as a learning experience for his players, as they prepare for the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Cup in India on December.
"It's not our night," he said. "We are on a month-long tour. We are touring to learn more. Boys need this exposure trip ahead of our main target, the SAFF Championship."
He also praised the Azkals for a "superb" performance.
"They played better football. You will be punished if you don't play good football," Roberts said. -- by Camille Naredo, abs-cbnNEWS.com
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