Kathmandu: Nepal men’s national football team will leave for Hong Kong on Tuesday to play an international friendly as part of their preparation for AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers match against Laos. 

Head coach Matt Ross earlier announced a 23-member squad including two new additions as midfielders Kushal Deuba and Srijan Raj Gautam earned a place in the national squad for the first time. 

Kushal was one of the influential members of Chyasal Youth Club in the recently concluded Martyrs Memorial ‘B’ Division League and also served as the captain of the Nepal U-20 team. Srijan played in gold cup for ‘A’ Division outfit Sankata Club and featured for Manang Marshyangdi Club in the ANFA U18 Youth League.

The team captained by veteran goalie Kiran Chemjong will vie against Hong Kong ranked 153rd in FIFA rankings, on Thursday. Nepal are ranked 175th. 

They will depart for Laos from Hong Kong to play their second match of the Qualifiers scheduled for June 10. 

Meanwhile, Minister for Youth and Sports Teju Lal Chaudhary and ANFA officials bade farewell to the national team at the ANFA headquarters on Monday. 

Nepali Squad

Kiran Chemjong (captain and goalkeeper), Abhishek Limbu, Αnanta Tamang, Anjan Bista, Arik Bista, Ayush Ghalan, Bimal Pandey, Bishal Sunar, Deep Karki, Gillespye Jung Karki, Kritish Ratna Chhunju, Kushal Deuba, Laken Limbu, Mani Kumar Lama, Manish Dangi, Rohit Chand, Rohan Karki, Sanish Shrestha, Srijan Raj Gautam, Suman Shrestha, Sumit Shrestha, Subash Thakuri Bam, Yogesh Gurung