By a Staff Reporter
Kathmandu (Hamro Khelkud) – All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) have announced the 33-man preliminary squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup Qualifiers against Bahrain in March. Head coach Vincenzo Alberto Annese has finalized his preliminary squad along with four new faces called up for the closed camp.
Defenders Ajay Chaudhary and Dipendra BK, midfielder Rohan Karki and forward Samir Tamang will be involved in the national team training for the first time. Similarly, Santosh Khatri, Anzal Maharjan and Bishal Tamang will make their returns to the closed camp. Kritish Ratna Chhunju and Abhisekh Baral, who have made the final cut previously, but yet to make their debut will join the team as well.
Nepal will take the field against Bahrain on March 21 and 27. The first fixture is scheduled to be played at home. However, due to Dasharath Stadium’s abysmal pitch conditions, there are high chances of the match being played outside Nepal.
Preliminary squad:
Goalkeepers: Kiran Chemjong, Abhisekh Baral, Bishal Sunar, Deep Karki
Defenders: Ajay Chaudhary, Ananta Tamang, Anzal Maharjan, Bimal Panday, Bishal Basnet, Chhiring Lama, Dipendra BK, Rohit Chand, Sanish Shrestha, Sumit Shrestha, Yogesh Gurung
Midfielders: Arik Bista, Bishal Tamang, Kritish Ratna Chhunju, Laken Limbu, Mani Kumar Lama, Manish Dangi, Rohan Karki, Santosh Khatri, Suraj Jeu Thakuri, Utsav Rai
Forwards: Anjan Bista, Ayush Ghalan, Dinesh Henjan, Gillespye Jung Karki, Hisub Thapaliya, Rajesh Pariyar, Samir Tamang, Sanjeeb Bista
