Nepal have announced a final 22-member squad for the Cedars Women’s International Tournament, which will be held in Beirut, Lebanon from July 10 to 16.
Head coach Rajendra Tamang finalized the squad on Wednesday retaining most of the members of a squad that had an inspiring run at the WAFF Women’s Championship in Saudi Arabia in February this year.
Nepal’s star forward Sabitra Bhandari will be available for the four-team competition after missing the final of the WAFF Championship against Jordan.
Nepal had reached the final of the WAFF Championship unbeaten—defeating Syria 4-1, Iraq 5-0, Palestine 4-0 in the group stage and Lebanon 2-1 in the semi-finals. Nepal had pushed Jordan all the way to the penalty with 2-2 a regulation time draw but lost the shootout 5-3.
Bhandari—Nepal’s all-time top scorer with 53 international goals—could not play the final due to her contract agreements with French club En Avant Guingamp—which only permitted her to represent her country in competitions held during FIFA window dates. She was the leading scorer of the WAFF Championship with nine goals.
Rai, who had scored the last-gasp winner to set up the final against Jordan, will also be fit for the Cedar tournament. She had suffered a torn meniscus during the semi-finals.
The presence of Bhandari and Rai will be a big boost for the Nepali team who are looking to win their first major international trophy.
Goalkeeper and captain Anjila Tumbapo Subba will lead the team in Beirut.
Playmaker Saru Limbu, who also missed the WAFF Championship, is back on national duty, while Renuka Nagarkoti has also returned to the team.
Defender Sabina Chaudhary, and midfielders Chandra Bhandari and Saraswati Hamal, who were all part of Nepal’s WAFF Championship team, have been left out.
Nepal’s opponents at the Cedars Women’s International Tournament will be Lebanon, Jordan and Bangladesh.
Nepal will aim to avenge the WAFF Championship final loss when they begin the tournament against Jordan on July 10. Nepal next play Bangladesh on July 13 and hosts Lebanon on July 16.
The team finishing on the top of the group at the end of the single round robin competition will be crowned champions.
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