Machhindra start AFC Cup preparation

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, July 25: Machhindra FC has geared up its preparation for the AFC Cup Preliminary Qualifiers. The runners-up of the first division league Machhindra will be playing against Bhutan’s league champions Paro FC at Dashrath Stadium on August 8. 

The two-time league champion organized a press conference on Monday to say the club had started the preparation under the coach Kishor KC. 

President Sunil Kapali said Machhindra is training at the ground of ANFA Complex and league champions Church Boys United.

Coach KC has called 23 players for the training. Though KC’s contract with the White Lions had already expired after the Martyr’s Memorial A Division League, the club has trusted KC for the AFC Cup. 

The club also signed a contract with Kantipur TV for the broadcasting rights and Mount Everest Sports for the ticketing rights during the press meet. 

Meanwhile, the club also has roped in new eight players on loan from other top-tier clubs. 

General Secretary Anil Shrestha said the new players are in contract till Machhindra stays in the AFC Cup qualifiers fray.  

Machhindra has included winger Aashish Chaudhary and midfielder Arik Bista from league champion Church Boys United. National team members midfielder Laken Limbu, winger Ayush Ghalan and defender Sanish Shrestha are also included in the squad. 

Machhindra had also brought Messouke Oloumou, Rejin Subba and Rohit Subba into the team. The club had continued with its previous 15 players. Captain and Goalkeeper Bishal Shrestha will be the first choice while Pradip Bhandari will be the substitute keeper. 

Forward Bimal Gharti Magar, Afeez Olawale, Saurav Limbu, Abhishek Gurung, and Bijay Bhujel are other forwards in the team. Omolaja Kareem, Devendra Tamang, Diwakar Chaudhary, Tshiring Gurung and Suraj BK will handle the defence of Machhindra.

Provided the win in its first playoff against Bhutan’s league champion, Machhindra will meet Mohan Bagan on August 16.

Machhindra got the opportunity to play in the AFC Cup After Nepal’s league champion Church Boys United did not have the AFC Club Licence. This is the second time Machhindra will be playing in the AFC Cup Qualifier. The White Lions could not make it into the second round in its first attempt after losing to Sri Lanka’s Blue Star 2-0.