31-member football squad announced

THT ONLINE

KATHMANDU: Newly appointed head coach Jack Stefanowski and his assistant Richard Orlowski have announced a 31-member preliminary squad of Nepal’s national football team on Monday.

In a press meet held at the ANFA complex, Satbodato, 31 players made the cut based on their individual performance in the recently concluded first round of the Martyr’s Memorial Red Bull ‘A’ Division League, personal fitness and their performance at the training session.However, it has come as a surprise that Sujal Shrestha, Bikash Singh Chhetri and Shiva Shrestha, who were in the national team earlier, could not make it to the list this time.

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Nepal will play two friendly matches against Pakistan on February 6 and 9 to prepare for the upcoming AFC Challenge Cup Qualifiers.

Pakistani national team is coming to Kathmandu on Tuesday evening to play the first match the following day. The match kick off at the Dasharath Stadium in Kathmandu at 2:30 pm on Wednesday.

According to the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA), the Nepali team is leaving to Thailand on February 13 to practice ahead of the qualifiers.

Likewise, in the latest fixtures of the AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers, Nepal is set to lock their horns with Northern Mariana Islands on March 2.

On March 4, Nepal will play against Bangladesh and the Gorkhalis will complete the qualifiers after playing against Palestine on March 6.

Nepal are pitted in Group D along with Palestine, Bangladesh and Northern Maraina Islands.

The lists of players are:

Goalkeeper: Kiran Limbu, Ritesh Thapa, Bikesh Kuthu

Defenders: Rohit Chand, Sagar Thapa, Sandip Rai, Bijaya Dhimal, Jitendra Karki, Rabin Shrestha, Biraj Maharjan, Sabindra Shrestha, Saroj Dahal.

Midfielders: Anil Ojha, Bhola Silwal, Bijaya Gurung, Bikram Lama, Ganesh Khadka, Jagjeet Shrestha, Nawayug Shrestha, Nirajan Khadka, Rajendra Rawal, Raju Tamang, Sulav Maskey

Forward: Amar Dongol, Anil Gurung, Bharat Khawas, Bishal Rai A, Chetan Ghimire, Dipak Rai, Santosh Sahukhala, Jumanu Rai

Head Coach: Jack Stefanowski

Assistant Coach: Richard Orlowski

Goalkeeper Coach: Mrigendra Mishra

Team Physio: Dejib Thapa