U23 squad reduced to 42

The national U23 squad has been trimmed to 42 in the first phase of selection.

Head Coach Bal Gopal Maharjan reduced his squad on Tuesday evening.

Injured Arik Bista has also been included in the squad to continue his rehabilitation process. Seven other members of the squad, currently with the national team in Qatar training camp, will join the squad after the completion of SAFF Championship.

Coach Maharjan had called up 16 more players to the squad adding to the 48 players called up earlier.

The team is scheduled to take part in the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers in Tajikistan from October 25-31.

Nepal have been drawn alongside Iran, Lebanon and Tajikistan in Group B for the Qualifiers.

Players:

GK: Arpan Karki, Bishal Sunar, Abhishek Baral, Surya Adhikari, Rohit Karki

Defenders: Suman Aryal, Gautam Shrestha, Rajan Gurung, Ashim Bhusal, Randip Paudel, Bishwas Udas, Bishal Basnet, Roman Limbu, Adil Hamid, Ashok Thapa Magar, Anil Maharjan, Abhishek Limbu, Shiva Gurung

Midfielders: Nitin Thapa, Suraj Jeu Thakuri, Ayush Ghalan, Sesehang Angdembe, Jay Gurung, Dipesh Gurung, Rajiv Lopchan, Sishir Lekhi, Akash Buda Magar, Dipesh Ale Magar, Lakhen Limbu, Kushal Phuyal, Roshan Pahadi, Arik Bista

Forward: Ritik Khadka, Manish Dangi, Abhishek Rijal, Darshan Gurung, Prizen Tamang, Dinesh Hemjam, Rejin Subba, Buddha Bal Tamang, Sanjeeb Bista, Dhiraj Shrestha