Final squad declared for SAFF

KATHMANDU, Aug 28: Five players including two senior midfielders were removed from the final 20-member Nepali national football squad announced on Wednesday for the Eighth SAFF Championship to begin on Saturday at the Dasharath Stadium, Kathmandu.



Midfielders Bijay Gurung and Nirajan Khadka were removed along with Tek Bahadur Budathoki of same position and defenders Bijay Dhimal and Ananta Tamang. [break]



The squad declared by Nepal´s Polish coach Jack Stafenowski and assistant coach Richard Orlowski include five forwards, six midfielders and defenders each and three goalkeepers.



Stafenowski clarified that the players were picked on the basis of performance, especially during the three week long tour of Bahrain and Kuwait. “The players with best performances were picked,” said Stafenowski.



Meanwhile, winger Prakash Budathoki was named in the national squad for the first time while goalkeeper Bishal Shrestha, defender Sabindra Shrestha and midfielder Tanka Basnet and forward Bimal Gharti Magar marked their comeback in the national team. Gharti Magar is the U-16 age group player.



Meanwhile, Bharat Khawas who joined the national team´s training on Tuesday was also included on the list. Khawas had been undergoing Second Lieutenant training with Nepal Army.



Stafenowski said that it was a difficult decision to remove Khadka from the team. "Everyone was good, and it was a difficult decision to remove Khadka from the team," said Stafenowski. Khadka had been a regular midfielder of the national squad.



Eight of the players included in the national team are from national champion Three Star, four from Nepal Police Club, three each from Manang Marshyandi Club (MMC) and Nepal Army Club, one from U-16 and one playing professional football in Indonesia.



Regarding selection of defenders, Stafenowski said that he had plans in mind and that he would reshuffle some players. He also clarified that forward Khawas who joined the training a couple of days ago is also in good shape.



Nepal is placed in group A along with defending champion and five time winner India, Bangladesh and Pakistan. Nepal will kick start the campaign taking on Bangladesh on Saturday.



Hinting that India was the strongest opponent in the group stage, Stafenowski said, "India is the defending champion and Bangladesh and Pakistan are other challengers."



Goalkeepers: Kiran Chemjong, Ritesh Thapa, Bishal Shrestha

Defenders: Sagar Thapa (C) Biraj Maharjan, Rabin Shrestha, Sabindra Shrestha, Sandip Rai, Rohit Chand

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