KATHMANDU: All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) on Tuesday announced the final squad led by Anil Gurung for the upcoming AFC Solidarity Cup to be held in Malaysia, scheduled for November 2 to 15.

In a statement, ANFA made public the  names of 23 players, including three goalkeepers, eight defenders, six midfielders and six forwards. Initially 28 players were called for the close-camp.

Japanese national Gyotoku Koji would be leading the Nepali team in the AFC Solidarity Cup for the first time in any international tournament as Nepal's head coach. Raju Kaji Shakya and Ujjwal Manandhar would be assisting Koji.

Nepal are in Goup 'A' along with Timor Leste and Brunei. Nepal are scheduled to take on Timor Leste in their opening match at the Sarawak State Stadium, Kuching on November 5.

Nepal would face Brunei on November 8 at the Sarawak Stadium, Kuching in Malaysia.

Nepal's final squad

Goalkeepers: Bikesh Kuthu, Bishal Shrestha and Kiran Kumar Limbu

Defenders: Rabin Shrestha, Biraj Maharjan, Ananta Tamang, Deepak Gurung, Aditya Chaudhary, Kamal Shrestha, Devendra Tamang and Ranjit Dhimal

Midfielders: Bishal Rai, Heman Gurung, Bikram Lama, Anjan Bista, Sujal Shrestha and Rajendra Rawal.

Forwards: Bharat Khawas, Nawayug Shrestha, Suman Lama, Anil Gurung, Ranjan Bista and Bimal Gharti Magar.