Organizing a press meet at the ANFA Complex, Satdobato, Lalitpur, the football governing body announced the final squad that is mostly filled by the members of the U-23 team that claimed the title of the 12th South Asian Games in India in February.The squad consists of three goalkeepers Kiran Kumar Limbu, Bikesh Kuthu and Bishal Shrestha. However, striker Anil Gurung who wore captain's armband in the SAFF Championship was a left out along with Bimal Gharti Magar.
Bharat Khawas, Bijay Dhimal and Bishal Shrestha, who were not in the SAFF Championship squad held in India in December-January, had marked their comeback in the team. The other players missing from the SAFF squad are Rohit Chand, Anjan Bista, Bikram Lama, Aditya Chaudhary, Ananta Tamang, Allan Shrestha and Amrit Chaudhary.
Bimal and Rohit are injured and undergoing treatment while Bikram Lama is in Indonesia for trial. Similarly, Ananta and Anjan are also trying their luck in Europe.
The newly announced team comprises of nine defenders Bijay Dhimal, Biraj Maharjan (C), Devendra Tamang, Dinesh Rajbanshi, Jitendra Karki, Kamal Shrestha, Man Bahadur Tamang, Rabin Shrestha and Ranjit Dhimal, while Bishal Rai, Heman Gurung, Jagajeet Shrestha, Prakash Budhathoki, Sujal Shrestha and Sunil Bal are six midfielders of the team.
Bharat Khawas, Bishwas Shrestha, Nawayug Shrestha, Ranjan Bista and Suman Lama have been given the responsibility of forwards.
Meanwhile, Nepali national team head coach Gyotoku Koji said that the team has skillful players and the side could reach to the South-east Asian level (like Thailand) in couple of years.
"My target will be to help the football team reach to the South-east Asian level," said Koji, adding that his priority will be to give continuity to the success of the 12th SAG.
Koji further added that the tactics and model of the team will depend on the players' talent and potential.
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