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Pakistan team arrives in Kathmandu; leaves for Pokhara

A-29-member Pakistani National football team arrived in Kathmandu on Monday afternoon to take on hosts Nepal in the two friendly matches to be played in Pokhara on 26th and 28th March respectively.

The Muhammad Essa-led Pakistan National football team flew in via Pakistan International Airlines PK 368 from Karachi to Kathmandu today.

All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) vice-president Kumar Jung Thapa, ANFA spokesperson Lalit Krishna Shrestha and ANFA Treasurer Birat Jung Shahi received the Pakistani team at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) airport.

After arrival, ANFA arranged a luxury bus to take the Pakistani team straight to Pokhara from TIA Airport.

The Pakistani team will stay in Hotel Blue Heaven - a 3 star hotel- located in Lake Side, Hallanchowk in Pokhara and will start its training from tomorrow at Pokhara Football Stadium.

Meanwhile, ANFA has formed a 26-member national football team for the friendly football series against the Pakistan National Football team to be played in Pokhara on March 25 and 27.
Bikash Thapa, Surendra Shrestha, Ritesh Thapa and Kiran Chemjong are selected as goalkeeper in the team.

Similarly, Rakesh Shrestha (c), Sagar Thapa, Anjan KC, Umesh Upreti, Bikash Singh Chhetri, Biraj Maharjan, Lok Bandhu Gurung and Chun Bahadur Thapa will be in defense lineup.

Rajesh Shahi, Pradeep Maharjan, Visadh Gauchan, Bijay Gurung, Raju Tamang, Vishwa Bairagh Samal, Nirajan Khadka and Sandeep Rai will be in midfield whereas in forward Yugal Kishor Rai, Jumanu Rai, Ganesh Lawati, Anil Gurung, Bharat Khawas and Santosh Sahukhala have been selected.

The team has been selected under the supervision of ANFA technical director Bhim Thapa and coaches duo; Upendra Man Singh and Bal Gopal Maharjan.

However, regulars Nabin Neupane and Tashi Tsering and in-form Nirajan Rayamajhi have been left out of the team. nepalnews.com Mar 24 08