Who are the three new players on the national football team?

Kathmandu: Head coach Matt Ross announced the final squad for the friendly match against Singapore and the match against Malaysia as part of the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers, including three new faces.

Goalkeeper Angel Shrestha, defender Suman Shrestha and forward Subash Bam Thakuri have made it to the senior team for the first time. Coach Matt Ross has trusted the three players who have performed well in their age groups and domestic football and kept them in the team. All three players have reached Singapore on their first foreign tour with the national team.

Every player dreams of playing for the national team. They have come this far pursuing that dream. All three players have been performing excellently in domestic football in Nepal in recent times.

Angel and Suman have been playing senior football for the departmental team APF. Both play for APF as their first choice. Young forward Subash has been playing for the junior team of another departmental team, Nepal Police Club. Subash has even captained Nepal in his age group.

Subhas Bam Thakuri

Subash Bam Thakuri from Kalikot is currently the youngest player in the national team. He is in his 17th year. Born in Kalikot, he came to Kathmandu to study when he was young. At that time, he started playing football after seeing his older brothers playing.

“I came to Kathmandu to study when I was young. Since my grandfathers also played football, I also started playing inspired by them,” Subash said before leaving for his first trip abroad with the senior team.

He has played national team and club football in his age group. Subash is one of the lucky players to be in the national team at a young age. He is also very happy to be in the national team. ‘I am very happy. My childhood dream was to be in the national team. I had a dream to contribute something to the country, so I am happy,’ said Subash.

He has played in the U-16 Youth League and U-18 Youth League for the departmental team Nepal Police Club. Under his captaincy, the Police won the U-18 Youth League title. He has also captained the Nepal U-16 and U-17 national teams. Having fulfilled a special responsibility at a young age, he has now been given an even bigger responsibility.

“I had a dream since I was a child. I used to think that if I got into the national team at a young age like my brothers Kiran and Rohit, it would be easier in the future. I am happy to be in the team now,” he said. “Initially, I wondered what it would be like to go straight to the senior team after getting a call to the team. But all the brothers helped. The coach also helped on and off the field.”

Subash has already played in the Philippines. His goal now is to make his national team debut and take his grade 12 exams. Playing in the forward position also comes with the challenge of being included in the team and scoring goals. He is ready for that challenge.

“Positioning is tough for forwards. Anjan Dai is the leading goal scorer. Bharat Khawas Dai, Ghalan Dai are the same. I fight,” he said. Although he is a forward, Subash said that he likes Kiran Chemjong because he has read about goalkeeper Kiran since he was young and heard stories of his struggle.

Captain Kiran has also commented that Subash is a player with a lot of potential.

suman shrestha

Suman Shrestha of Kavre Panauti Ward No. 5 used to play football since he was a child. He has played in the U-18 Lalit Memorial Football Tournament B Division A Division League and has now made his way to the senior national team. He plays as a defender in the APF.

Before that, he had played in the Lalit Smriti U-18 tournament for Brigade Boys Club. He said that he had dreamed of playing for the national team since childhood and was excited to be in the national team for the first time.

“I am very happy. Everyone dreams of playing for the national team. It has been my dream since childhood. Now I am excited to wear the national team jersey,” Suman said before leaving for Singapore.

He said that he learned a lot while training with new coach Matt Ross. He said that the senior players are also helping him a lot. Suman is still happy that his favorite player Anant Tamang will also play in the defense position.

“My idol is Anant Tamang. I have also trained with him as a partner. It’s going well,” Suman said enthusiastically.

anjal shrestha

Anjal Shrestha is a goalkeeper from Barhabise, Sindhupalchowk. He also used to play football in his neighborhood since he was a child. He said that Dipendra Shrestha and Sandeep Khadka helped him a lot to get here.

Anjal has also played from age group to B division to A division club. He is very happy to be in the national team for the first time. ‘I am very happy and excited to be in the national team for the first time, I am very excited to play for the country,’ he said.

Anjal said that he enjoyed his journey from playing in the B Division to the A Division through the district to the national team. He played in the B Division for the Khumaltar Youth Club. Currently, he is playing as the first-choice keeper in the APF.

Anjal, who was initially happy to play for the district, has now joined the national team and is going to play abroad. He said that he was happy to see his name in the team for the first time and that this journey has been difficult.

“I have overcome many difficult times. I am happy to be in the senior team now. The main goal is to represent the national team. Like everyone else, I also have the same dream,” he said about his goal.

But since the national team usually has only one goalkeeper, it may take time for Anjanal to get an opportunity to play for the national team. Because the captain of the national team is the goalkeeper

Kiran Chemjong is currently the most experienced player to have played 100 games for Nepal. Similarly, Deep Karki, who has also played for Nepal, is the second-choice keeper. Anjal is the third-choice keeper.

Anjal says he will face the challenges with himself, not with his brothers. ‘There are many challenges for a goalkeeper. The main challenge is with myself rather than with my brothers. I will continue to improve myself,’ he said.