Nepali national women’s football team left for Myanmar on Sunday to compete in the second round of the Asia Qualifier for the 2020 Olympics.

Nepal are pitted in Group ‘A’ along with hosts Myanmar, India and Indonesia. Only the group winners will book a ticket for the third round of the Qualifier which is set tentatively for January or February next year. Nepal had made to the second round Qualifier as two best runners-up from four groups from Asia in the first round. In the first round, Nepal had played a 1-1 draw in all three matches including India, Myanmar and Bangladesh.

Captained by Niru Thapa, Nepal open their campaign with a match against Myanmar of April 3 before playing India on April 6.

They wrap up the campaign with a clash against Indonesia on April 9. The 25-member Nepali team consists of 20 players and five officials. Former national captain Hari Khadka is the head coach and Bhagwati Rana Magar the assistant coach. Mrigendra Mishra is the goalkeeping coach. Manisha Maharjan is the physiotherapist while Kamala Hirachan will accompany the team as manager.

Nepal Squad

Goalkeeper: AnjilaTumbapo Subba, Anjana Rana Magar and Usha Nath; Defender: Hira Kumari Bhujel, Gita Rana, Punam Jargha Magar, Amrita Jaisi, Kabita Dhimal, Puja Rana, Manamaya Limbu; Midfieder: Anita Basnet, Deepa Rai, Manjali Kumari Yonjan, Sarmila Thapa, Saru Limbu, Renuka Nagarkote, Anita KC; Forward: Rekha Paudel, Niru Thapa, Sabitra Bhandari