Nepal national under-17 football team

The Nepal national under-17 football team (Nepali: नेपाल राष्ट्रिय यू-१७ फुटबल टिम) is the under-17 football team of Nepal. The team is controlled by the All Nepal Football Association and is a member of the Asian Football Confederation.

   Nepal
नेपाल राष्ट्रीय यू-१७ फुटबल टिम
Nickname(s)The Junior Gorkhalis
AssociationAll Nepal Football Association
ConfederationAFC (Asia)
Sub-confederationSAFF (South Asia)
Head coachUpendra Man Singh
Home stadiumDasarath Rangasala Stadium
FIFA codeNEP
First colours
Second colours
World Cup
Appearances0
AFC U-16 Championship
Appearances3 (first in 2000)
Best resultGroup Stage (2000, 2006, 2014)
South Asian Championship
Appearances8 (first in 2011)
Best resultRunners-up (2013, 2017, 2019, 2022)

History

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Early years

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In the mid-1980s, FIFA provided financial assistance and sent a number of coaches to help Nepal launch its first youth programme, which was geared towards spotting talent at the grassroots level (such as in schools, for example) and providing young players with the necessary know-how, both on and off the pitch. The initial five-year plan helped half the players groomed under the first youth programme to find a place in the national side, and the team that won the 2 gold medals in the first and sixth South Asian Federation (SAF) Games mostly consisted of the players from that youth programme.

Youth investment

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ANFA asked FIFA for financial assistance to check the downslide of Nepalese domestic football and in 1998, FIFA agreed to donate funds through its Financial Assistance Programme (FAP), thereby allowing ANFA to construct a secretariat along with a football pitch and a hostel in Kathmandu to launch its youth development programme. The two-year intensive training period for the youth players selected in 1998 produced a number of skilful players, who recently participated in the ninth South Asian Games (Pakistan, 29 March - 5 April). The same team had earlier topped its group in the Asian Cup preliminary round in March 2004.

However, despite reaching the finals tournament of the 2000 AFC U-17 Championship in Vietnam, Nepal refused to participate in a biological age test, and as a result was banned from the 2002 AFC U-17 Championship.[1] This, along with the Maoist uprising left manager Stephen Constantine to resign.[citation needed]

In 2002, endeavours to develop football received a further fillip when FIFA awarded a Goal programme to Nepal. Thanks to this project, ANFA has constructed regional football centres that include hostels, office secretariats and playing grounds in three major towns in three different regions. ANFA built these centres to focus on spotting hidden talent in villages or schools around the nation. These centres will also provide the necessary coaching and physical training, and in the long-term, the nation as a whole will benefit with more regional football sides on a par with the clubs of Kathmandu.

Recent years

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Nepal was fined by the Asian Football Confederation for fielding over-age players during the 2014 AFC U-16 Championship.[2] Since the fine, the All Nepal Football Association has put in place several necessary age checks as part of selection/trials. The most recent team has qualified for the 2016 AFC U-16 Championship, making it the first Nepal U-16 team to achieve a back-to-back qualification in history.[3] However, the team was then excluded from the tournament due to player Manish Karki failing an MRI bone test.[4] Nepal was penalized and ruled to have forfeited all three of their qualification group matches where the ineligible player was fielded by a 3–0 scoreline.[5]

Stadium

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The stadium at daytime

The team's home ground is shared with the Nepal national football team at 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

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2010s

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Date Opponent Result Score* Venue Competition
29 October 2018   India L 0–1   ANFA Complex, Lalitpur, Nepal 2018 SAFF U-15 Championship
1 November 2018   Pakistan L 0–4   ANFA Complex, Lalitpur, Nepal 2018 SAFF U-15 Championship
29 October 2018   Bangladesh L 0–1   ANFA Complex, Lalitpur, Nepal 2018 SAFF U-15 Championship
25 October 2018   Maldives W 4–0   ANFA Complex, Lalitpur, Nepal 2018 SAFF U-15 Championship
24 September 2017   Palestine L 1–2   ANFA Complex, Lalitpur, Nepal 2018 AFC U-16 Championship qualification
22 September 2017   India D 2–2   ANFA Complex, Lalitpur, Nepal 2018 AFC U-16 Championship qualification
20 September 2017   Iraq L 0–1   ANFA Complex, Lalitpur, Nepal 2018 AFC U-16 Championship qualification
27 August 2017   India L 1–2   ANFA Complex, Lalitpur, Nepal 2017 SAFF U-15 Championship (Final)
25 August 2017   Bangladesh W 4–2   ANFA Complex, Lalitpur, Nepal 2017 SAFF U-15 Championship (Semi-final)
23 August 2017   India L 1–2   ANFA Complex, Lalitpur, Nepal 2017 SAFF U-15 Championship
21 August 2017   Maldives W 6–0   ANFA Complex, Lalitpur, Nepal 2017 SAFF U-15 Championship
20 September 2015   Oman L 0–3 (forfeit)   Dolen Omurzakov Stadium, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan 2016 AFC U-16 Championship qualification
18 September 2015   Kyrgyzstan L 0–3 (forfeit)   Dolen Omurzakov Stadium, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan 2016 AFC U-16 Championship qualification
16 September 2015   Jordan L 0–3 (forfeit)   Dolen Omurzakov Stadium, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan 2016 AFC U-16 Championship qualification
16 August 2015   India L 0–1   Sylhet District Stadium, Sylhet, Bangladesh 2015 SAFF U-16 Championship (Semi-final)
14 August 2015   Afghanistan W 1–0   Sylhet District Stadium, Sylhet, Bangladesh 2015 SAFF U-16 Championship
10 August 2015   Maldives W 5–0   Sylhet District Stadium, Sylhet, Bangladesh 2015 SAFF U-16 Championship
4 August 2015   Manang Marshyangdi Club W 3–0   ANFA Complex, Lalitpur, Nepal Exhibition match (Friendly)
2 August 2015   APF Club L 0–1   ANFA Complex, Lalitpur, Nepal Exhibition match (Friendly)
28 July 2015     Nepal (U-19) L 2–5   ANFA Complex, Lalitpur, Nepal Exhibition match (Friendly)
14 July 2015     Nepal (U-19) L 0–2   ANFA Complex, Lalitpur, Nepal Exhibition match (Friendly)
16 October 2014   Fluminense FC L 0–1   Ambedkar Stadium, New Delhi, India 2014 U-17 Subroto Cup (Quarter final)[N 1]
13 October 2014   HVS Mizoram D 3–3   Ambedkar Stadium, New Delhi, India 2014 U-17 Subroto Cup[N 1]
12 October 2014   Tripura Sports School W 5–1   NWC Football Ground, New Delhi, India 2014 U-17 Subroto Cup[N 1]
11 October 2014   CRPF Delhi W 4–0   Ambedkar Stadium, New Delhi, India 2014 U-17 Subroto Cup[N 1]
11 September 2014   North Korea L 1–4   Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand 2014 AFC U-16 Championship
9 September 2014   Kuwait W 2–1   SCG Stadium, Nonthaburi, Thailand 2014 AFC U-16 Championship
7 September 2014   Uzbekistan D 1–1   SCG Stadium, Nonthaburi, Thailand 2014 AFC U-16 Championship
31 August 2014   Thailand D 3–3   PAT Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand Exhibition match (Friendly)
22 August 2014   Manang Marshyangdi Club L 0–2   ANFA Complex, Lalitpur, Nepal Exhibition match (Friendly)[N 2]
13 August 2014   R.S.C. Anderlecht (U-19) L 0–5   Neerpede Ground, Brussels, Belgium Exhibition match (Friendly)
10 August 2014   KFC Zwarte Leeuw W 3–2   Louis Van Roey Stadium, Rijkevorsel, Belgium Exhibition match (Friendly)
5 August 2014     Nepal (U-23) D 1–1   ANFA Complex, Lalitpur, Nepal Exhibition match (Friendly)
19 July 2014   South Korea[6] D 0–0   Paju National Football Center, Paju, South Korea Exhibition match (Friendly)
15 July 2014   Neunggok High School W 1–0   Paju National Football Center, Paju, South Korea Exhibition match (Friendly)
11 July 2014   Boin High School D 2–2   Paju National Football Center, Paju, South Korea Exhibition match (Friendly)
20 June 2014     Nepal L 0–1   ANFA Complex, Lalitpur, Nepal Exhibition match (Friendly)[N 2]
4 March 2014   APF Club L 1–1 (2–4 pen)   Pokhara Rangasala, Pokhara, Nepal 12th Aaha Gold Cup[N 2]
28 February 2014   Madhyapur Youth Association W 3–2   Chyasal Technical Centre, Lalitpur, Nepal Exhibition match (Friendly)
14 February 2014   Mahindra Bansbari F.C W 5–0   Bansbari Home Ground, Kathmandu, Nepal Exhibition match (Friendly)
17 November 2013   Mohammedan S.C. L 0–1   Paljor Stadium, Gangtok, Sikkim 2013 Sikkim Gold Cup (Quarterfinal)[N 2]
12 November 2013   George Telegraph S.C. W 4–1   Paljor Stadium, Gangtok, Sikkim 2013 Sikkim Gold Cup[N 2]
9 November 2013   Eastern Railway F.C. W 1–0   Paljor Stadium, Gangtok, Sikkim 2013 Sikkim Gold Cup[N 2]
25 October 2013   HKNFA L 0–3   Pokhara Rangasala, Pokhara, Nepal 2013 SAFAL Pokhara Cup[N 2]
29 September 2013   Turkmenistan W 4–0   Dasarath Rangasala, Kathmandu, Nepal 2014 AFC U-16 Championship qualification
27 September 2013   Iraq D 2–2   Dasarath Rangasala, Kathmandu, Nepal 2014 AFC U-16 Championship qualification
25 September 2013   Bahrain W 2–0   Dasarath Rangasala, Kathmandu, Nepal 2014 AFC U-16 Championship qualification
30 July 2013   India L 0–1   Dasarath Rangasala, Kathmandu, Nepal 2013 SAFF U-16 Championship (Final)
27 July 2013   Bangladesh W 5–1   Dasarath Rangasala, Kathmandu, Nepal 2013 SAFF U-16 Championship (Semi-final)
24 July 2013   Pakistan W 3–0   Dasarath Rangasala, Kathmandu, Nepal 2013 SAFF U-16 Championship
22 July 2013   Afghanistan D 1–1   Dasarath Rangasala, Kathmandu, Nepal 2013 SAFF U-16 Championship

2000s

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Date Opponent Result Score* Venue Competition
5 September 2006   Singapore D 0–0   Bishan Stadium, Bishan, Singapore 2006 AFC U-17 Championship
5 September 2006   South Korea L 0–2   Jalan Besar Stadium, Kallang, Singapore 2006 AFC U-17 Championship
3 September 2006   Japan L 0–6   Jalan Besar Stadium, Kallang, Singapore 2006 AFC U-17 Championship
17 November 2005   Uzbekistan W 2–0   Kathmandu, Nepal 2006 AFC U-17 Championship qualification
15 November 2005   Kyrgyzstan W 2–1   Kathmandu, Nepal 2006 AFC U-17 Championship qualification
3 December 2003   Afghanistan W 2–0   New Delhi, India 2004 AFC U-17 Championship qualification
1 December 2003   India D 1–1   New Delhi, India 2004 AFC U-17 Championship qualification
9 September 2000   Myanmar L 0–3   Da Nang, Vietnam 2000 AFC U-17 Championship
7 September 2000   Japan L 0–3   Da Nang, Vietnam 2000 AFC U-17 Championship
5 September 2000   Vietnam L 0–5   Da Nang, Vietnam 2000 AFC U-17 Championship
3 September 2000   China L 2–6   Da Nang, Vietnam 2000 AFC U-17 Championship
14 June 2000   Uzbekistan W 3–0   Kathmandu, Nepal 2000 AFC U-17 Championship qualification
12 June 2000   Turkmenistan W 5–3   Kathmandu, Nepal 2000 AFC U-17 Championship qualification
10 June 2000   Maldives W 7–0   Kathmandu, Nepal 2000 AFC U-17 Championship qualification

1990s

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Date Opponent Result Score* Venue Competition
27 April 1998   Sri Lanka W 1–0   Kathmandu, Nepal 1998 AFC U-17 Championship qualification
24 April 1998   Bangladesh L 0–1   Kathmandu, Nepal 1998 AFC U-17 Championship qualification
20 April 1998   Guam W 10–0   Kathmandu, Nepal 1998 AFC U-17 Championship qualification

  Win   Draw   Loss

Coaching staff

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Head coach   Upendra Man Singh
Coach   Rajesh Manandhar
Manager   Madhusudhan Upadhyay

Players

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U-16 Squad

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No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Arpan Karki 3 0   ANFA Academy
21 1GK Akash Ranabhat 0 0   ANFA Academy
22 1GK Sandesh Gurung 0 0   ANFA Academy

3 2DF Roman Limbu 3 0   ANFA Academy
15 2DF Laxman Pariyar 3 1   ANFA Academy
23 2DF Nikit Shrestha 0 0   ANFA Academy
13 2DF Anosh Magar 0 0   ANFA Academy
2 2DF Suman Aryal 3 2   ANFA Academy
4 2DF Aashish KC 0 0   ANFA Academy
16 2DF Abhishek Verma 0 0   ANFA Academy
18 2DF Hrishik Gyawali 5 1   Nepal Police

7 3MF Abhishek Rijal 3 0   ANFA Academy
27 3MF Dewas Urau 1 0   ANFA Academy
9 3MF Tenzin Jangchup Sherpa 16 12 8   ANFA Academy

30 4FW Rajiv Lopchan 1 0   ANFA Academy
17 4FW Rejin Subba 2 0   ANFA Academy
24 4FW Dinesh Henjan 0 0   ANFA Academy
10 4FW Pewen Sherpa 3 2   ANFA Academy
14 4FW Rajesh Pariyar 0 0   ANFA Academy
8 4FW Arik BistaG.T 15 12 1   ANFA Academy

U-16 Recent Call-ups

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Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Abhilash Thapa 0 0   ANFA v.   Turkmenistan, September 29, 2013
GK Prabin Shrestha 0 0   ANFA v.   Turkmenistan, September 29, 2013
GK Devraj Limbu 0 0   Kailali XI v.   South Korea, July 19, 2014

DF Tshering Gurung 4 2   ANFA v.   Turkmenistan, September 29, 2013
DF Ujjwal Chemjong (1998-03-09) 9 March 1998 (age 26)   ANFA v.   South Korea, July 19, 2014

MF Tenzin Jangchup Sherpa 16 12 8   NPCANFA v.  
MF Nishant Dhungana (1998-01-06) 6 January 1998 (age 26) 0 0   ANFA v.   Turkmenistan national under-17 football team
MF Sajan Magar 0 0   ANFA v.   India, July 30, 2013
MF Sujan Limbu 4 2   ANFA v.  

FW Ajay Limbu 16 3 4   GFA

XI

v.   South Korea

Competitive record

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*Denotes draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.
**Red border color indicates tournament was held on home soil.

FIFA (U-17) World Cup

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In order to qualify for the FIFA U-17 World Cup, AFC teams must secure a berth (currently, semi-finals) through a continental tournament, the AFC U-16 Championship.

FIFA U-17 World Cup finals record FIFA U-17 World Cup qualifying record
Year Result Pts Pld W D L GF GA GD Result Pts Pld W D L GF GA GD
  1985 Did not qualify Did not qualify
  1987
  1989
  1991
  1993
  1995
  1997
  1999
  2001 Round 1 0 4 0 0 4 2 17 –15
  2003 Did not qualify
  2005
  2007 Round 1 1 3 0 1 2 0 8 –8
  2009 Did not qualify
  2011
  2013
  2015 Round 1 4 3 1 1 1 4 6 –2
  2017 Disqualified Disqualified; replaced by Oman
  2019 did not qualify
  2023
  2025
Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3/20 5 10 1 2 7 6 31 –25

AFC U-16 Championship

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AFC U-16 Championship finals record AFC U-16 Championship qualifying record
Year Result Pts Pld W D L GF GA GD Result Pts Pld W D L GF GA GD
  1985 Did not qualify Group 2B (3rd) 5 4 2 1 1 5 7 –2
  1986 Did not enter
  1988 Group 3 (4th) 2 4 1 0 3 1 11 –10
  1990 Group 4 (2nd) 2 2 1 0 1 3 3 0
  1992 Group 3 (2nd) 6 4 3 0 1 4 9 –5
  1994 Did not enter
  1996
  1998 Group 5 (2nd) 6 3 2 0 1 11 1 +10
  2000 Round 1 0 4 0 0 4 2 17 -15 Group 5 (1st) 9 3 3 0 0 15 3 +12
  2002 Did not qualify Did not enter
  2004 Group 6 (2nd) 4 2 1 1 0 3 1 +2
  2006 Round 1 1 3 0 1 2 0 8 -8 Group F (1st) 6 2 2 0 0 4 1 +3
  2008 Did not qualify Group B (4th) 3 4 1 0 3 7 10 –3
  2010 Group B (4th) 3 4 1 0 3 3 12 –9
  2012 Group D (4th) 1 3 0 1 2 1 5 −4
  2014 Round 1 4 3 1 1 1 4 6 -2 Group C (1st) 7 3 2 1 0 8 2 +6
  2016 Disqualified Group B(4th) 0 3 0 0 3 0 9 –9
  2018 Did not qualify Group D(4th) 1 3 0 1 2 3 5 –2
  2023 Group F(4th) 0 3 0 0 3 2 12 –10
Total 3/19 5 10 1 2 7 6 31 –25 15/19 55 47 19 5 23 60 89 –29

SAFF U-16 Championship

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Host/Year Result Pts GP W D* L GF GA GD
  2011 Third place 4 4 2 2 0 9 2 +7
  2013 Runners-up 7 5 3 1 1 16 3 +13
  2015 Semi-finals 6 3 2 0 1 6 1 +5
  2017 Runners-up 3 4 2 0 2 12 6 +6
  2018 Fourth place 3 4 1 0 3 5 7 -2
  2019 Runners-up 9 5 3 0 2 11 13 -2
  2022 Runners-up 6 4 3 0 1 11 6 +5
  2023 Group stage 0 2 0 0 2 0 2 -2
Total 8/8 34 31 16 3 12 70 40 +30

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ a b c d Nepal entered the tournament as Lok Smriti High School, a side endorsed by the ANFA Academy to feed into the U16 national team in the following year. Effectively a Nepal U15 side.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Match played against a non-youth senior side.

References

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  1. ^ Thapa, Sushil. "ANFA Brings Shame To The Country". GoalNepal.com. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  2. ^ "AFC Slaps Fine To Nepal For Fielding Over-Age Players In AFC U16 Championship". GoalNepal.com. Retrieved 6 December 2014.
  3. ^ "Nepal qualify for AFC U-16". the-anfa.com. Retrieved 2015-09-20.
  4. ^ "Nepal barred from U-16 C'ship Finals". Kathmandu Post. 27 October 2015.
  5. ^ "Nepal excluded from the AFC U-16 Championship India 2016". AFC. 27 October 2015.
  6. ^ "U-16 대표팀, 30일 코파멕시코 대회 참가.. 18일 훈련 소집". KFA (in Korean). Retrieved 19 July 2014.
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Head-to-head record

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The following table shows Nepal's head-to-head record in the AFC U-17 Asian Cup.