By a Staff Reporter
Kathmandu – The All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) announced the preliminary squad for Women’s Olympic Football Asian Qualifiers for Paris Olympics 2024.
Head Coach Ananta Raj Thapa named his 35-membered preliminary squad on Monday, including defender Puja Rana, who was out of the field for more than a year following an injury.
Thapa, who was appointed as the head coach of the national women’s team later in January led Nepal to two friendlies against India. The first match ended 2-2. All thanks to Sabitra Bhandari who scored twice at dying hours. Moreover, both teams failed to score any in the second outing. However, Gita Rana, who picked up an injury during the first outing against India is not included in the preliminary squad.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) last week allowed Nepal to host the Olympic Qualifier. Nepal is pitted in Group C alongside Afghanistan and Vietnam. Afghanistan will take on Vietnam in the first match of Group C on April 5. Nepal will then play against Afghanistan on April 8 and play Vietnam on April 11 at Dasharat Stadium.
Preliminary Squad:
Anjila Tumbapo Subba, Anjana Rana Magar, Usha Nath, Bimala BK, Sapana Rai, Amrita Jaishi, Hira Kumari Bhujel, Nisha Thokar, Samiksha Ghimire, Preeti Rai, Anita Basnet, Anita KC, Bimala Chaudhary, Dipa Shahi, Saru Limbu, Renuka Nagarkote, Sabita Rana Magar, Nirmala BK, Sabitra Bhandari, Amisha Karki, Rashmi Kumari Ghising, Rekha Poudel, Rajani Thokar, Puja Rana, Deepa Neupane, Saraswoti Ayer, Saraswoti Hamal, Anchali Waiba, Srijana Chemjong, Ganga Gurung, Manjali Kumari Yonjan, Chandra Bhandari, Pratikshya Chaudhary, Menuka Ale Magar, Sara Bajracharya
