Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Kuala Lumpur: In terms of geography and climate there can be few places that stand in such stark contrast to the palm-fringed tropics of the Northern Mariana Islands than Nepal.
But acclimatization to the Himalayan nation will be one of a number of challenges that await the senior men's team from the Western Pacific archipelago next March when they make their debut in the 2014 AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers.
NMI, who became an associate member of the AFC in 2009, are one of two teams making their debut in the tournament for emerging nations (alongside Brunei) with the draw next year's qualifiers placing them in Group D with 2012 AFC Challenge Cup semi-finalists Palestine, Bangladesh, hosts of the inaugural tournament in 2006, and Nepal.
The football federation of the Northern Mariana Islands was founded just one year before the AFC Challenge Cup became a fixture on the confederation's competitions calendar and consequently their team of regulars in the country's fledgling M League, eligible recruits from colleges and universities in the USA as well as 'veterans' from NMI's EAFF Championship qualifying matches have the proverbial mountain to climb as they aim to overcome the odds and qualify for the Maldives 2014.
"All the other countries have much more experience and whatever game we play we will be the underdogs but that isn't going to alter or strategy or where our heads are at," NMI Technical Director Johann Noetzel told www.the-afc .com following Tuesday's qualifying draw at AFC House.
"Playing in Nepal will be a great experience and we look forward to all opportunities. From now we will focus on training and we hope to get there as soon as we can to acclimatize.
"We will be training intensively over the next two months and try to get in as many matches as possible. We are looking to line up a couple of teams [to play in NMI] and entertaining a few offers to play overseas as well."
Noetzel was brought to Saipan in February originally to oversee the development of goalkeepers but the former USA-based keeper, who had spells in the MLS with Dallas Burn and in the English Premier League with Aston Villa, was recently handed a more comprehensive remit as Technical Director, with the NMI's AFC Challenge Cup qualifying campaign falling under his purview.
Noetzel, whose career in the top flight of English football was cut short by a knee injury, will not be taking on the mission single-handedly.
He is currently 'unofficially' assisted by Malaysian football legend Koo Luam Khen, a veteran of Malaysia's 1972 Olympic campaign and former head coach of Hong Kong, where he currently works for Chelsea FC's Soccer School.
"I know NMIFA President Jerry Tan very well and he has asked me to help out with some coaching clinics to develop soccer in NMI which I have been doing for the past 18 months," said Koo (pictured right with Noetzel).
"It's great for NMI to be able to participate in this tournament and to get some international exposure. It's also very good to get the chance to play outside the islands against some very strong teams," he continued.
A positive experience might be the most the NMI can expect from their debut but while a place at the 2014 AFC Challenge Cup might be too much to expect from the inexperienced islanders, having a better debut than neighbours Guam could be an additional motivating factor.
"I am good friends with the Guam coach Gary White and I look forward to discussing the draw over a few pints and having a good laugh at their tough group," joked Noetzel when asked about Guam's chances after being pooled in a group that features 2008 AFC Challenge Cup champions India, Chinese Taipei and Group A hosts Myanmar, semi-finalists in 2008 and 2010.
"But of course I will wish them the best of luck as well," he added.