ANFA announces squad for India friendly match in Mumbai

KATHMANDU: All Nepal Football Association on Friday has announced a 20-member squad for an International friendly football match against India slated for June 6 in Mumbai of India.

The match is scheduled to be played at the Andheri Sports Complex in Mumbai. The match will kick-off at 7 pm local time.

In a statement today, ANFA said the match was organised as part of a preparation for the upcoming AFC Asian Cup 2019 qualifier against Yemen in the first leg at home on June 13 at the AFP Halchowk Stadium.

India currently holds 100th positions to Nepal's 169th positions in the latest FIFA ranking.

Nepal's Japanese head coach Koji Gyotoku has made several changes in the team that lined-up against the Philippines in Manila in the AFC Asian Cup 2019 qualifiers in away leg. Nepal will face the Philippines at home on November 14, 2017.

Nepal reduced to 10-men, were comprehensively beaten 4-1 by the physically and technically sound Azkals in Manila, on March 28.

Nepal are pitted against the Philippines, Yemen and Tajikistan in Group F.

Nepal are set to face Yemen on June 13 and Tajikistan on September 5. They will lock their horns with Tajikistan and Yemen respectively on October 10 and March 27, 2018, according to Asian Football Confederation.

Meanwhile, Bimal Basnet and Hemant Thapa have been included in the roster.

Nepal Squad:

Goalkeepers: Bikesh Kuthu, Kiran Kumar Limbu, Bishal Shrestha.

Defenders:  Biraj Maharjan, Ananta Tamang, Aditya Chaudhary, Kamal Shrestha, Devendra Tamang, Jidtendra Karki, Bimal Basnet.

Midfielders: Rohit Chand, Bishal Rai, Heman Gurung, Anjan Bista, Sujal Shrestha, Suman Lama and Hemant Thapa Magar.

Forwards: Bimal Gharti Magar, Bharat Khawas and  Nawayug Shrestha.

Japanese Koji Gyotoku is the head coach while Raju Kaji Shakya is his assistant, Ujjwal Manandhar is a goalkeeping coach, Raju Dahal is team's physio and Birat Jung Shahi is the team manager. Team is likely to be led by veteran defender Biraj Maharjan.

The team will leave to southern neighbour on June 4.

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