Nepal to host AFC U-16 C’ship Qualifier

 Kathmandu, April 21

Nepal will host the Group D matches of the AFC U-16 Championship 2018 Qualifiers at the ANFA Complex Ground from September 16-24.

The Asian Football Confederation on Friday held the draw and also confirmed the hosts countries for the qualifying rounds. As per the draw, Group D hosts Nepal have been pitted along with defending champions Iraq, India and Palestine.

A total of 45 teams were divided into 10 groups with all the group winners and five best runners-up making it to the finals along with the hosts. However, The AFC is yet to finalise the hosts and the schedules for the main event.

In the last edition, Nepal had been disqualified for the finals of the championship held in India in 2016 after Nepal’s skipper Manish Karki was found over-age by the AFC. Nepal had finished as the best runners-up in qualifiers to make it to the finals but they missed the opportunity to travel to India after the AFC disqualified them and also slapped a fine of $14,500 to All Nepal Football Association.

Nepal pitted in Group A

Similarly, Nepal were drawn in Group A along with Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Oman and hosts Kyrgyz Republic for the AFC U-19 Championship 2018 Qualifiers to be held from October 31 to November 8. A total of 43 participating nations were divided into 10 groups. The group winners and the five best runners-up will qualify for the finals along with hosts.

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