Kathmandu: Opening day winners Palestine and Turkmenistan lock horns at the Halchowk Stadium on Saturday knowing that a victory will book their place in the semi-final stage of the AFC Challenge Cup and a step closer to the 2015 AFC Asian Cup.
Despite missing several key players due to their club commitments and facing the pressure of a Dashrath Stadium packed to the rafters with a passionate home crowd, Palestine comfortably saw of Nepal 2-0 and are expecting a tougher match against the Turkmen.
"We started our preparation for the Turkmenistan match right after the final whistle against Nepal," said Palestine Jordanian coach Jamal Mahmoud. "
"We are looking forward to win the match," he stressed.
Turkmenistan coach Yazguly Hojageldiyev believes that victory in the first match of a tournament is always crucial and now wants his side to build a on their 3-1 triumph over the Maldives as the Central Asians kicked-off their campaign in style..
"I know they are a good side and we must prepare to face the challenge, I am expecting a tough match on Saturday," he said.
Abdallatif Al Bahdari and Ahmed Mahajna are available for selection for Palestine after they served their one-match ban against Nepal while Turkmenistan's Bahtiyar Hojjahmedov and Gauvanch Hangeldiyev are also eligible to play after sitting out against the Maldives on Thursday. (source: the-afc.com)
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