Nepal football squad announced for Philippines clash

KATHMANDU: The All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) has announced the final squad for the first match of the AFC Asian Cup 2019 Qualifiers on Friday.

Three goalkeepers, seven defenders, six midfielders and four forwards were selected for the 20-member squad from the 27 shortlisted players announced a week ago.

The selected players include:

  1. Bikesh Kuthu (Goalkeeper)
  2. Kiran Kumar Limbu (Goalkeeper)
  3. Bishal Shrestha (Goalkeeper)
  4. Rabin Shrestha  (Defender)
  5. Biraj Maharjan  (Defender)
  6. Ananta Tamang  (Defender)
  7. Aditya Chaudhary (Defender)
  8. Kamal Shrestha (Defender)
  9. Ranjit Dhimal (Defender)
  10. Jitendra Karki (Defender)
  11. Rohit Chand (Midfielder)
  12. Bishal Rai (Midfielder)
  13. Heman Gurung (Midfielder)
  14. Bikram Lama (Midfielder)
  15. Anjan Bista (Midfielder)
  16. Sujal Shrestha (Midfielder)
  17. Bimal Gharti Magar (Forward)
  18. Ranjan Bista (Forward)
  19. Bharat Khawas  (Forward)
  20. Karna Limbu  (Forward)

Out of 27 shortlisted players, Devendra Tamang and Suman Lama missed out their place due to injuries while Alan Neupane, Anil Gurung, Rajendra Rawal, Man Bahadur Tamang and Bimal Basnet were dropped.

Nepal will take on the Philippines in the first match of the AFC Asian Cup 2019 Qualifiers to be held at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila, Philippines on March 28.