The cops of Nepal

Nepal Police Club celebrate their Nepalese title success

Phnom Penh Crown's second opponents, on Monday 7 May, in the AFC President's Cup Group B matches will the Nepal Police Club, who had their most successful season in 2007 when they were known as Mahendra Police Club, not only winning their domestic Martyr's Memorial A-Division championship but they achieved a memorable run to the final of the AFC President's Cup, that year held in Pakistan, where they lost out 2-1 to another of our Group B opponents, Dordoi. In the qualifying group that year, MPC drew 0-0 with Tatung, lost 0-3 to Dordoi and then ravaged a Khemara Keila team (containing our own Kouch Sokumpheak) from Cambodia 6-4. That earned them a semi-final spot against Regar-Tadaz, which they won 2-1 to reach the final. The following year they nearly repeated that feat, progressing through the group stages but going down in the semi-final, 3-1 to Dordoi again, who have proved to be something of a bogey team, and who they face in Saturday's opening day tie. Their other two appearances in the AFC President's Cup, in 2009 and last year, ended at the group stage. Four times winners of their domestic championship, the club were formed as long ago as 1952 and captured their latest national title in January, though were rocked by the recent departure of their top scorer, Bharat Khawas, and will rely on the talents of skipper Jumanu Rai and Rabin Shrestha to carry their hopes in next week's tournament, as well as goalkeeper Ritesh Thapa, who starred in their recent British Gurkha knockout cup success at home. Police coach Birat Krishna Shrestha is looking forward to their opening game. "The first match against Dynamo will be vital for us and we´ll be eyeing for victory or draw as the results of the first match shall strengthen our hope of making into final round. We have lost all three times (versus Dordoi) due to our own mistakes. This time we will try not to repeat such mistakes."