Kathmandu, Oct 19: The Nepali U-23 team has left for Tajikistan today to play the AFC U-23 Asian Cup Qualifiers. The AFC U-23 Asian Cup Qualifier is taking place from October 25-31.    

Nepal is in Group B of the Qualifiers. Other countries in Group B include Tajikistan, Iran and Lebanon. Nepal will meet Iran on October 25 in its first game of the Qualifier round. It will play against Tajikistan in the second game on October 28 and its last game with Lebanon on October 31.    

AFC has divided the 41 teams playing the tournament into 11 different groups. The teams emerging as the Group winners will play in the AFC U-23 Asian Cup while the best four teams among the first runner-up teams will also be selected to play in the tournament.    

The AFC U-23 Asian Cup Championship will be held in Uzbekistan from June 1 to 19, 2022.    

Nepal has so far not been successful to get through the qualifier round of AFC U-23.    

Chief coach Balgopal Maharjan had on Sunday announced the 23-member Nepali team to play in the AFC U-23 Asian Cup Qualifiers.    

The team comprises Arpan Karki, Bishal Sunar, Avishek Baral, Suman Aryal, Gautam Shrestha, Rajan Gurung, Shiva Gurung, Randip Poudel, Anil Maharjan, Avishek Limbu, Nitin Thapa, Suraj Jyu Thakuri, Ayush Ghalan, Sesehang Angdambe, Rajib Lopchan, Shishir Lekhi, Akash Budha Magar, Roshan Pahadi, Rhitik Khadka, Manish Dangi, Avishek Rijal, Darshan Gurung and Erik Bista.