Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: The Nepali national football team departed for the Philippines on Monday, two days after the conclusion of the Martyrs Memorial ‘A’ Division League, to prepare for the SAFF Championship 2023.
Nepal is set to play a friendly match against the Philippines in Manila on Thursday. After the friendly match, the national team will directly fly to Bangalore, India, which is hosting the biennial regional football tournament.
The national team conducted its first training session at Dasharath Stadium on Sunday, followed by a second training session on Monday morning.
Nepal is placed in Group ‘A’ which also includes Kuwait, defending champion India and Pakistan. Nepal is scheduled to play against Kuwait in the tournament opener on June 21. It will then face India on June 24 and play their final group-stage match against Pakistan on June 27.
The SAFF Championship features eight teams – six SAFF members and two invited teams. Kuwait and Lebanon are participating in the regional football tournament of South Asia as the invited sides, while Sri Lanka is ineligible to play due to a FIFA ban.
Nepal will hold three training sessions in India. Considering the short preparation time, fatigue among players, and the participation of strong invited teams, the tournament could prove to be the most challenging SAFF Championship for Nepal. Nevertheless, every team has its target.
However, Head Coach Vincenzo Alberto Annesse said that he does not set specific targets. Speaking to journalists on Sunday, Annesse said, “I didn’t say we will win the Three Nations Cup. I start with small expectations. The expectations should grow gradually.”
Annesse, who took charge of the national team in March, said he is focused more on the match against the Philippines at the moment. “I acknowledge that the SAFF Championship is the most important tournament for us, but I want to concentrate on the match against the Philippines. I need to see how my players perform,” he added.
Referring to the growing migration of Nepali players to foreign countries, Annesse said that the situation is challenging for the national team. “Even the players who participated in the Three Nations Cup have left the country. Most of the players in the squad have less experience, and some of them are yet to make their debut for the national team,” he said. “I hope they will perform well against the Philippines.”
Nepal defeated Laos to clinch the title of the Three Nations Cup in Kathmandu on March 31. Bhutan was the other side that participated in the tournament. It was Annesse’s first tournament as the Head Coach of the national team.
Annesse also said the players should realize the significance of representing their country. “Although this is my first major tournament with the national team as well, the senior players in the squad will give me confidence. Captain Kiran has played in five editions of the SAFF Championship. Players like him will inspire me,” Annesse said.
Captain Kiran Chemjong acknowledged that he cannot claim that Nepal will win the tournament. “The participation of two invited teams has raised the competition level. Since most of our players are new, the tournament will be challenging for us,” Chemjong said. “We are all aware of the difficulties the national team is facing. Experienced players have left the country, and we also didn’t have sufficient time to prepare for the tournament.”
Nepal Squad:
Goalkeepers: Kiran Kumar Limbu (Punjab FC), Deep Karki (Manang Masryangdi), Bishal Shrestha (Machhindra FC)
Defenders: Bimal Pandey (Tribhuvan Army Club), Sanish Shrestha (Nepal APF Club), Ananta Tamang (Church Boys United), Devendra Tamang (Machhindra FC), Nishant Khadka (Sankata Club), Rohit Chand (Persik Kedri) and Simant Thapa (Jawlakhel Youth Club).
Midfielders: Pujan Uparkoti (Machhindra FC), Eric Bista (Church Boys United), Naveen Lama (Nepal APF Club), Mani Kumar Lama (Nepal APF Club), Laken Limbu (Three Star Club) and Abhash Lamichhane (Nepal APF Club).
Forwards: Ayush Ghalan (Sankata Club), Navayug Shrestha Tribhuvan (Tribhuvan Army Club), Deepakraj Singh Thakuri (Satdobato Youth Club), Anjan Bista (Church Boys United), Manish Dangi (Sankata Club), Ashish Chaudhary (Church Boys United) and Bimal Gharti Magar (Machhindra FC)
