By a Staff Reporter
Kathmandu – Nepal will face a strong opponent Jordan in the third phase of AFC Asian Cup 2023 qualifiers tonight (Wednesday).
The match against Jordan will be held at Kuwait’s Jabir Al Ahmad Stadium at 1 am on June 9 (1 o’clock tonight as per NST). Nepal, which is without 11 senior players, will be testing young players against Jordan. Regular captain Kiran Chemjong and vice captain Rohit Chand are among the 11 senior players excluded from the team following a row with Chief Coach Abdullah Al Mutairi in late April.
Nepal has adopted a strategy of holding the strong opponent to a draw in order to share the spoils. As the senior players are not included in the final squad of Nepal, at least three to four young players are expected to get a chance for debut.
All three goalkeepers are new to the national team. Therefore, whoever the coach chooses will be making the first appearance for the national team. Deep Karki, who has been featuring in the practice matches, is likely to make his debut for the national team against Jordan.
Suman Aryal, Gautam Shrestha and Rajan Gurung are likely to be picked up from among the defenders. One footballer among Bikas Khawas, Bikash Tamang and Shiva Gurung will also be included in the defense lineup. Bikash and Shiva have not won any cap for the national team.
Santosh Tamang and Pujan Uperkoti are strong contenders to be included in the midfield. Sunil Bal is likely to assume the role of a winger while Pujan and Arik Bista will probably play the role of attacking midfielders.
Sesehang Angdembe, Suraj Jyu Thakuri and Aakash Budha Magar are likely to be substituted from the bench. Nir Kumar Rai and Roshan Rana Magar are also waiting for their debut.
Captain Navyug Shrestha will shoulder the responsibility of attacking role. Aayush Ghalan and Manish Dangi are likely to support Navyug as the first-choice forwards. George Prince Karki and Darshan Gurung are likely to start from the bench.
Nepal’s Probable Starting XI: Deep Karki, suman Aryal, Gautam Shrestha, Rajan Gurung, Bikas Khawas, Pujan Uparkoti, Santosh Tamang, Sunil Bal, Arik Bista, Navyug Shrestha and Manish Dangi.
Final Squad:
Nepal’s Final Squad:
Goalkeeper: Deep Karki,, Bishal Sunar and Tikendra Singh Thapa
Defenders: Bikash Khawas, Bikash Tamang, Gautam Shrestha, Rajan Gurung, Shiva Gurung and Suman Aryal
Midfielders: Aakash Budha Magar, Arik Bista, Nir Kumar Rai, Pujan Uparkoti, Roshan Rana Magar, Santosh Tamang, Sesehang Angdembe, Sunil Bal and Suraj Jyu Thakuri
Forwards: Aayush Ghalan, Sarshan Gurung, George Prince Karki, Manish Dangi and Navayug Shrestha
