Head coach Prabesh Katuwal has called up 30 players for the friendly against Pakistan on November 16 at Dasharath Stadium.
Katuwal, taking charge of the national side for the first time, said it was an opportunity he didn't want to miss. "I know the national team is a challenging job and it is even going to be difficult to play against Pakistan given the time constraints but this is something I didn't want to miss. I want to do better in this job," said Katuwal.
Speaking about players' selection, Katuwal said he believes he has assembled the best team for the friendly. "I may be comparatively new to management but I have been associated with football for over two decades now. This team is my experience of those years," said Katuwal who has won consecutive Martyr's Memorial 'A' Division League with Machhindra Football Club.
Katuwal said the exclusion of influential midfielder Bishal Rai from the national side was due to injury. "Rai is injured and he will not join the squad."
Katuwal said Pakistan game would be a difficult one for Nepal. "We know Pakistan is returning to international football after years of exile but their players have been playing in foreign countries. They are a strong team to beat and we obviously want to beat them," he said.
The closed camp of the national side will begin from Wednesday at ANFA Complex.
Players: Kiran Chemjong (GK),Bikesh Kuthu (GK), Deep Karki (GK), Bishal Shrestha (GK), Bikash Khawas, Bikash Tamang, Sesehang Angdembe, Nawayug Shrestha, Tej Tamang, Avash Lamichhane, Rohit Chand, Ananta Tamang, Dinesh Rajbanshi, Gautam Shrestha, Devendra Tamang, Ranjit Dhimal, Pujan Uperkoti, Sudip Gurung, Suraj Jeu Thakuri, Sujal Shrestha, Arik Bista, Bimal Gharti Magar, Anjan Bista, Manish Dangi, Sunil Bal, Ashish Chaudhary, Ritik Khadka, Ayush Ghalan, Sanjog Rai, Nishan Khadka
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