KATHAMADU: After one and half month of camp, Nepali coach Yogumber Suwal picked up 30 players for the final stage of selection for the 11th South Asian Games (SAG) football slated early next year in Dhaka.

Of the 47 players undergoing training in the second stage of selection, Biraj Maharjan, Rohit Chand, Rabin Shrestha, Sandeep Rai, Ranjeet Shrestha, Yogesh Shrestha, Nirajan Khadka, Bhola Silwal, Santosh Sahukhala, Chetan Ghimire, and Anil Gurung, who played at the sixth SAFF Championship, made it to the final stage.

The i-league club Shillong Lajong striker Gurung is currently in India to play the reputed Federation Cup that begins from December 21. "Since Gurung will be playing active football in India and will not be available for the training, the team management has decided to put him in the camp," Suwal said.

Also making the cut were Santosh Gurung, Suman Subedi, Nur Raj Kafle, Dipak Bhushal, Bikash Singh Chhetri, Jeevan Sinkeman, Dipen Shrestha, Laxman Ruchal, Pukar Gahatraj, Shiva Shrestha, Bharat Khawas, Nirajan Malla and goalkeepers Ritesh Thapa and Kiran Chemjong.

National team regulars and over-age players Sagar Thapa, Jumanu Rai, goalkeeper Bikash Malla, Raju Tamang and Pradeep Maharjan were also called in. The players have been called as the U-23 football in the SA Games will allow only three senior players in each team.

Coach Suwal said the final squad would be announced in two weeks as the SA Games organising committee had already asked to submit names of the final 20 players.

"We have already been asked to name the squad by the organising committee. We will announce the team within the next two weeks," said the coach. "Selection will also be based on player's performance in the upcoming British Gorkha Cup."

Among the players failing to make the cut were Naveen Maharjan, Dinesh Thapa, Sujal Shrestha, Ravi Thapa, Koviet Khadka, Suman Khadka, Sudeep Sikhrakar, Pankaj Shahi, Ramesh Katuwal, Jitendra Singh Bista, Rupak Shrestha, Pukar BK, Praveen Karki, Anil Ojha, Sanjeev Shrestha, Roshan Lamichane and Amir Shrestha.