Defending champions Nepal want to have a good start

Tajikistan national football team, Dastai Muntakhabi will meet Nepal rivals, the Gurkhas in the first match of Group-A in the Bangabandhu Gold Cup 2018 today (Tuesday) at 6.30pm at the District Stadium in Sylhet.
Middle Asian country Tajikistan are ranked 170th in FIFA world ranking while South Asian country are ranked 160th.
The two had met twice in different FIFA recognised matches before. The Tajiks won both the times. In those matches, the South Asian team conceded five goals and netted a single goal in reply.
Former Nepal booter and current coach Bal Gopal Maharjan says that his boys are all prepare for their first match. They have taken good preparation for the event.
He says, "We are the champions of the event and want to keep up the spirit in the event as well. Tajikistan are a strong team. But, we are hopeful to do well."
Tajik coach Alisher Tukhtaev shown respect to the champions and says that the Nepal are a good team and they are the champions. But, they (Tajiks) want to have a good start in the event and will give their best.