Nepal national under-23 football team

Nepal U-23

Association	All Nepal Football Association
Confederation	AFC (Asia)
Sub-confederation	SAFF (South Asia)
Head coach	Marko Rudan
Captain	Kiran Chemjong
Home stadium	Dasarath Rangasala Stadium
FIFA code	NEP
First colours Second colours

Nepal national under-23 football team, also known as Nepal under-23s or Nepal U23(s), represents Nepal in association football at national and Olympic games and is controlled by ANFA, the governing body for football in Nepal, and the Nepal Olympic Committee.

History

The team serves as the feeder team for the Nepal national football team squad, accommodating players aged 23 and under. However, up to three senior players may also be selected. Besides this, there are national teams for the Under-20s, Under-17s, and Under-15s. Players who meet the eligibility criteria can participate at various levels, making it possible for one to play for the U-23s, then the senior team, and return to the U-23s again.

Home stadium

Main article: Dasarath Rangasala Stadium

The stadium at daytime

The team's home ground is the Dasarath Rangasala Stadium, a multi-purpose stadium in Tripureswor, Kathmandu, Nepal. Holding 25,000 spectators, of which 5,000 seated, it is the biggest stadium in Nepal. It is named after Dashrath Chand, one of the martyrs of Nepal.

Most recently, the stadium was used as a primary venue for the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup and the 2013 SAFF Championship, with the Halchowk Stadium hosting some of the matches as well.

Apart from sporting events, the stadium is also used as a music venue for cultural events with Bryan Adams being the most notable act that performed at the site.

Prior to the 2013 SAFF Championship in Nepal, the Dasarath Rangasala underwent heavy renovation that saw several improvements such as the expansion of seats from 20,000 to 25,000.

Recent results and fixtures

Main article: Nepal national under-23 football team results

  Win  Draw  Lose

2021

Iran   v     Nepal

25 October 2021 (2021-10-25) 2022 AFC U-23 Asian Cup qualification	Iran	4–0	Nepal	Dushanbe, Tajikistan
16:00  UTC+5	Limouchi 46' Nokhodkar 77', 79' Salmani 90+3'	Report		Stadium: Pamir Stadium Attendance: 250 Referee: Suhaizi Shukri

Nepal     v   Tajikistan

28 October 2021 (2021-10-28) 2022 AFC U-23 Asian Cup qualification	Nepal	0–6	Tajikistan	Dushanbe, Tajikistan
19:00		Report	Mabatshoev 24' Solehov 32' Soirov 40' Azizboev 61' Hanonov 68' (pen.) Emomali 72'	Stadium: Central Republican Stadium, Dushanbe Attendance: 4,500 Referee: Ammar Ashkanani (Kuwait)

Lebanon   v     Nepal

31 October 2021 (2021-10-31) 2022 AFC U-23 Asian Cup qualification	Lebanon	4–0	Nepal	Dushanbe, Tajikistan
16:00	Farran 26', 47' Nasser 74' Haidar 82'	Report		Stadium: Central Republican Stadium, Dushanbe Attendance: 200 Referee: Adam Fazeel (Maldives)

Current squad

The following players were called up for the 2022 AFC U-23 Asian Cup qualification on 17 October 2021. ^[1]

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
	1 GK	Arpan Karki	(2000-01-24) 24 January 2000 (age 25)			Nepal Police Club
	1 GK	Bishal Sunar	(2002-02-09) 9 February 2002 (age 23)			Manang Marshyangdi Club
	1 GK	Abhishek Baral	(2000-04-09) 9 April 2000 (age 24)
	2 DF	Gautam Shrestha	(2000-02-21) 21 February 2000 (age 25)			Nepal Army F.C.
	2 DF	Rajan Gurung	(2000-04-15) 15 April 2000 (age 24)			APF F.C.
	2 DF	Shiva Gurung
	2 DF	Randip Poudel	(2002-10-06) 6 October 2002 (age 22)			Brigade Boys Club
	2 DF	Anil Maharjan	(2001-04-09) 9 April 2001 (age 23)			Friends Club
	2 DF	Suman Aryal	(2000-01-31) 31 January 2000 (age 25)			Nepal Army F.C.
	2 DF	Abhishek Limbu	(1999-08-21) 21 August 1999 (age 25)			Chyasal Youth Club
	3 MF	Nitin Thapa	(2002-02-07) 7 February 2002 (age 23)			Chyasal Youth Club
	3 MF	Arik Bista	(2000-03-17) 17 March 2000 (age 24)			New Road Team
	3 MF	Suraj Jeu Thakuri	(2000-12-19) 19 December 2000 (age 24)			Jawalakhel YC
	3 MF	Ayush Ghalan	(2004-02-21) 21 February 2004 (age 21)			Three Star Club
	3 MF	Sesehang Aangdembe	(2000-11-03) 3 November 2000 (age 24)			Nepal Army F.C.
	3 MF	Rajiv Lopchan	(2000-09-10) 10 September 2000 (age 24)			APF F.C.
	3 MF	Sishir Lekhi	(2002-04-04) 4 April 2002 (age 22)			Brigade Boys Club
	3 MF	Akash Budha Magar	(2002-02-14) 14 February 2002 (age 23)			Satdobato Youth Club
	3 MF	Roshan Pahari	(1999-09-13) 13 September 1999 (age 25)			Boys Union Club
	4 FW	Ritik Kumar Khadka	(2001-04-23) 23 April 2001 (age 23)			Three Star Club
	4 FW	Manish Dangi	(2001-09-17) 17 September 2001 (age 23)			Machhindra F.C.
	4 FW	Abhishek Rijal	(2000-01-29) 29 January 2000 (age 25)			Aizawl FC
	4 FW	Darshan Gurung	(2002-08-20) 20 August 2002 (age 22)			New Road Team

Tournament records

Olympic Games

Summer Olympic Games Record
Year	Result	Position	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1992	Did not qualify
1996	Did not enter
2000	Did not qualify
2004
2008	Did not enter
2012
2016	Did not qualify
2020
2024
2028	To be determined
Total		0 / 6

Note

• Olympic football events at U-23 level came into effect during the 1992 Summer Olympics, 2002 Asian Games, and the 2004 South Asian Games.

*Denotes draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

**Red border color indicates tournament was held on home soil.

AFC U-23 Championship

AFC U-23 Championship finals record											AFC U-23 Championship qualifying record
Year	Result	Pts	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD		Result	Pts	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD
2013	Did not qualify										4th (Group D)	3	4	1	0	3	6	9	−3
2016											5th (Group C)	0	4	0	0	4	0	17	−17
2018											4th (Group D)	0	4	0	0	4	0	9	−9
2020											4th (Group A)	0	3	0	0	3	0	8	−8
2022											4th (Group B)	0	3	0	0	3	0	14	−14
2024	Did not enter										Withdrawn
2026	To be determined										To be determined
Total	0/0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0		2/2/2	3	12	1	0	11	6	35	−29

Asian Games

Host/Year	Result	Pts	GP	W	D*	L	GF	GA	GD
1966 to 1998	See Nepal national team
2002	Withdrew
2006
2010
2014	Round 1	0	3	0	0	3	0	13	–13
2018	Round 1	0	3	0	0	3	1	5	–4
2022	did not enter
Total	2/4	0	6	0	0	6	0	18	–17

South Asian Games

Host/Year	Result	Pts	GP	W	D*	L	GF	GA	GD
No age bar restriction before 1999, Senior national teams only.
2004	No medal [2]	1	2	0	1	1	0	1	-1
2006	Bronze	8	5	2	2	1	9	4	+5
2010	No medal	3	3	1	0	2	2	4	-2
2016	Gold	9	4	3	0	1	12	6	+6
2019	Gold	10	4	3	1	0	8	2	+6
2025	TBD
Total	-	31	18	9	5	6	31	17	+14

Honours

• South Asian Games
  • Champions (2): 2016, 2019

See also

• All Nepal Football Association
• Nepal national football team
• Nepal national under-17 football team
• Nepal national under-20 football team

References

1. "Final squad for AFC U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers confirmed". ANFA. 2021-10-17. Retrieved 2025-02-28.^{[ permanent dead link ‍]}
2. "9th South Asian Federation Games 2004 (Pakistan)". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 30 November 2013.