14 Chait, Kathmandu. Nepal’s preliminary squad for the second round of the AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers has been announced.
Nepal U-20 women’s team head coach Yam Gurung announced the names of 32 players for the first round.
Gurung has included players from the team playing in the SAFF U-17 Women’s Championship as well as most of the team that played in the first round of selection.
Similarly, regular members of the national team, Preeti Rai, Deepa Shahi and Ameesha Karki are also in the team.
According to the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA), the closure of coaches will start from April 4.
The qualifying matches of the second phase will be held from June 3 to 11.
Nepal is in Group B in the second group. This group includes China, Myanmar and Chinese Taipei.
Nepal will have to finish in the top two to qualify for the AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup to be held in Uzbekistan in 2024.
Group A includes Australia, Vietnam, Lebanon and Iran. The top two teams from both the groups will qualify for the final tournament.
Nepal emerged as the group winners of the first round and qualified for the second round. In the first round match in Palestine, Nepal defeated the home team and the Northern Mariana Islands by an identical score of 6–0.
initial team
Goalkeepers: Kavita Vik, Sujata Tamang, Leela Joshi, Sabitri Kisan, Pooja Thapa
Defenders: Sabina Chowdhary, Sajni Thokar, Saru Hamal, Sunita Bhulan, Divya Yamsali Magar, Prateek Chowdhary, Ganga Rokai, Kumari Tamang
Midfielders: Tulsa Bohra, Sushma Jetty, Jennifer Rana, Sara Bajracharya, Sunkala Rai, Manmaya Damai, Preeti Rai, Anjali Machamsi, Saraswati Hamal, Hima Rawat, Manisha Sen, Deepa Shahi, Birsna Chowdhary
Forwards: Garima Rai, Ameesha Karki, Mamta Pun, Sandeepa Bhola, Senu Periyar, Varsha Wali