Nepali Football Team on Japan Visit After 20 Yrs

Marking first such trip in the last 20 years, Nepali football team is touring Japan on Friday as part of their preparations for the upcoming AFC Asia Cup Championship Qualifiers.

During the trip, first one since 1997, Nepali team will be playing five friendly matches
(two against age-group teams of top-tier Japanese clubs and three against University and local teams), watch a J-League match and undergo training camp.

This move by the Nepali team is coming after an invite by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Japan Football Association under the Sports for Tomorrow project.

Japanese Ambassador to Nepal Masashi Ogawa informed that Japan is supporting more than 100 countries through Sports for Tomorrow project prior to 2020 Olympics.

Ogawa urged Nepali team to implement the skills they learn in Japan in their upcoming match with Tajikistan.

“The tour will be really helpful ahead of the Tajikistan match. Playing against better opponents in Japan will help strengthen our mind set. We have several young players and they will gain valuable exposure,” said Nepali football team skipper Anil Gurung in a farewell event organized by the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) on Thursday.

Nepali football team is all set to face Tajikistan team on September 5 in their third Group ‘F’ match of the Asia Cup Qualifiers.