KATHMANDU, Aug 7: Head coach Johan Kalin on Tuesday announced the preliminary 31-member Nepal national football team squad for the preparations of the upcoming 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC).
Swedish Kalin has left out experienced defenders Kamal Shrestha, Amit Tamang, Nitin Thapa, Sesehang Andangbe, and Mickchen Tamang. But, he has selected forwards Bimal Gharti Magar and Bharat Khawas, both of whom were not included in the two friendlies against Malaysia and Chinese Taipei in June.
Kalin hopeful of good performance against strong Kuwait
Kalin shortened the list of players from 36 to 31.
However, the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) informed that the other four unselected players except Shrestha will be preparing for the 13th South Asian Games (SAG).
Nepal is pitted in Group B alongside Australia, Jordan, Kuwait and Chinese Taipei. Nepal will play against Kuwait in its first match of the qualifiers on September 5 in Kuwait, but it will be seen as
Nepal’s home game. Nepal will play its home game in Kuwait because of the lack of an international-level stadium in the country. The only international-level stadium Dasharath Stadium is currently being re-constructed.
Likewise, it was earlier scheduled that Nepal would play against Chinese Taipei and Jordan on September 10 and October 15 at the home stadium, but now Nepal will play both the matches away.
Also, the away matches against Chinese Taipei on March 13 and June 4 are now scheduled to be played in Nepal. Nepal will take on Australia away on October 10, and at home with the same team on March 31.
