Nepal national football team head coach Matt Ross has shed light on the reasoning behind taking his squad to the high-altitude region of Mustang ahead of their international friendly against Hong Kong ( June 5) and AFC Asian cup qualifier against Laos (June 10).

The trip, he says, marks the beginning of a tough but essential journey toward building a stronger, more resilient national team.

“This is big preparation for Hong Kong and Laos. The process, the journey, it starts today,” Ross told players in Kathmandu before moving to Mustang. “We are going to put players in some hard situations. That will make us tough. It will galvanize us.”

Ross acknowledged the challenges of training at such an altitude for the first time, admitting, “It’s the first time for us to go that high. We are also a bit scared.” Mustang, which lies at an elevation of over 4000 meters, is known for its thin air — and that's exactly what the coach is looking to use to the team's advantage.

“Why are we going to Mustang? We are making more red blood cells there. We carry oxygen better. With less oxygen, the body demands more of it. It’s all about making our cardiovascular system stronger and more efficient. Stronger cells mean better energy. All of this is going to help us,” Ross explained.

Addressing recent rumors that top players had departed for opportunities abroad, the Australian coach firmly stated, “All the good players went to Australia? No, they didn’t. All the good players are here.”

With fierce competition for places in the final squad traveling to Hong Kong, Ross emphasized the need for every player to step up. “We’ve got you guys together. There is massive competition for places. Only 23 will go to Hong Kong. Players have to prove their worth.”