AFC U-23 football team announced

KATHMANDU: OCT. 18 – The national football team for the AFC U-23 Asian Cup qualifiers has been announced. Coach Bal Gopal Maharjan announced the 23-member U-23 team on Sunday.

Six players of the team that became the runner-up of the SAFF Championship held in Male, Maldives on Saturday have been included in it. Along with defenders Suman Aryal and Gautam Shrestha, midfielders Nitin Thapa, Surajiu Thakuri and Ayush Ghalan have been included in the squad.

Similarly, forwards Manish Dangi, Rajan Gurung, Sesehang Angdembe, Arik Bista, Abhishek Rijal and Darshan Gurung have also been included in the team. Similarly, goalkeepers Arpan Karki, Bishal Sunar and Abhishek Baral have been included.

Shiva Gurung, Randeep Poudel and Abhishek Limbu are also in the defense. Anil Maharjan, Rajiv Lopchan, Roshan Pahari and Shishir are also in the midfield. Akash Budhamgar and Hrithik Kumar Khadka are in the team for the attack.

The AFC U-23 Asian Cup qualifiers are being held from October 25 to 31. Nepal, in Group B, will compete with Tajikistan, Iran and Lebanon. Nepal will play Iran on October 25, Tajikistan on October 28 and Lebanon on October 31. The AFC Championship will be held in Uzbekistan from June 1 to 19, 2022.

23-member U-23 team

Goalkeepers – Arpan Karki, Bishal Sunar, Abhishek Baral

Defenders – Suman Aryal, Gautam Shrestha, Rajan Gurung, Randeep Poudel, Abhishek Limbu, Shiva Gurung

Midfielders – Nitin Thapa, Surajiu Thakuri, Ayush Ghalan, Sesehang Angdembe, Anil Maharjan, Rajiv Lopchan, Shishir Lekhi, Akash Budhamgar, Arik Bista, Roshan Pahari

Forwards – Manish Dangi, Abhishek Rijal, Darshan Gurung, Hrithik Kumar Khadka