In today’s second match of Group A of the AFC Asian Cup 2023, Nepal plays on host Kuwait. The match will start at 7:15 p.m. local time at the Jawar Al Ahmed International Ground in Kuwait City (Nepali 10 am). Both sides are looking for their first victory in the tournament when they play their second game. Kuwait was defeated 2-1 by Indonesia in the group’s opening match. Similarly, Nepal lost 2-0 to a powerful Jordanian squad. When the youth team performs well against Jordan, coach Abdullah Almutairi plans to use the same set. As a result, the team will stay intact on the second day. Deep Karki, the goalkeeper, and Vikas Tamang, the defender, both had impressive debuts.   

Similarly, Vikas Khawas, who returned to the field after an injury a year ago, continued his outstanding performance. Deep, the goalkeeper, showed his ability by saving a penalty at the end of the first half. Defenders Gautam Shrestha and Suman Aryal, as well as Ayush Ghalan, Manish Dangi, Sesehang Andembe, Pujan Uparkoti, and Suraj Jiu Thakuri, played great for the young squad.

    NEPAL VS KUWAIT LIVE 

Meanwhile, Kuwait, a strong home team, was forced to accept the tragic outcome by continuing to make a lot of noise on the field. Even on the field, the Kuwaiti squad, which has been mired in controversy since its selection, has failed to create an impression. The Kuwait Football Association is currently embroiled in a controversy regarding the inclusion of an older player in the roster, and even his supporters were not pleased with his performance in the first match.

Coach Abdullah predicts that an average of 22 Nepali players would perform well in front of a public of 30. This game in Kuwait by the Nepalese side, which is without ten regular and experienced players, is also viewed as a test. Coach Abdullah plans to play the next two games after failing to draw with Jordan.

In the past, both team

Kuwait and Nepal are not strangers to one other. Nepal has played Kuwait in eight games so far. The result of Nepal’s match versus Kuwait was less than desirable. Nepal lost seven of its eight games and only drew one.

In November 1882, Nepal played Kuwait for the first time in the Asian Games. Nepal was defeated 3-1 by Kuwait in the match. The second encounter took place in the Asian Games in 1986. Nepal was defeated 5-0. Nepal had the poorest performance against Kuwait in the Asian Games in 1994. Nepal had been defeated 8-0. Nepal was defeated 5-0 by Kuwait at the Asian Games of 2000.

In March 2019, Nepal’s four-match losing run against Kuwait came to an end. Nepal held Kuwait to a goalless draw in a friendly on March 21 headed by Johan Kalin. This was Nepal’s positive outcome versus Kuwait. Similarly, Nepal was defeated by Kuwait by ten points in the second friendly encounter, which took place on March 25, 2019.. Nepal’s strong team will take the field against Kuwait with the intention of winning. However, defeating a powerful Kuwait would not be easy for Nepal.

Deep Karki, who made his debut against Jordan, is likely to be the first choice goalkeeper. Navyug Shrestha is the captain of the squad, which also includes Manish Dangi, Ayush Ghalan, Suman Aryal, Gautam Shrestha, Vikas Tamang, Pujan Uparkoti, Santosh Tamang, Eric Bista, Darshan Gurung, and George Prince Karki.

Meanwhile, Kuwait will be trying to win their first match of the tournament by beating Nepal. Nepal, which is in Group A, sits at the bottom of the list with nil points. Kuwait is in third position as well, with no points

Jordan is first on the list, with three points, while Indonesia is second with two. Nepal’s final encounter will be against Indonesia on May 31st, as part of the selection.

In the Asian Cup, the top team from each group will be chosen from the third round selection. In 2023, the top five finishers will compete in the main competition in China..

Nepali Squad 

GoalKeeper :  Deep Karki, Bishal Sunar, Tikendra Thapa

Deffenders : Gautam Shrestha, Shiva Gurung, Akash Budha Magar, Arik Bista, Seshehang Angdambe, Pujan Uperkoti, Sinil Bal, Santosh Tamang, Nir Kumar Rai, Sujar Jeu Thakuri

Forwarad: Darhasn Gurung, George Prince Karki, Ayush Ghalan, Nawayug Shrestha (C), Manish Dangi