Campus Road wrapped up their Dhangadi Cricket League (DCL)-3 league campaign with a convincing 81-run victory over pit bottom Santoshi Tole on Monday.
 
The win saw Campus Road finish at the top of the table with 12 points — three ahead of second-placed Attariya —- after the completion of round robin league. The top two teams will meet each other in Tuesday’s Qualifier from where the winner will make it to the final.

The loser of the Qualifier will play the winners of the eliminator game between Hasanpur Royals and Chauraha to have another shot in the final.

In the match on Monday, man-of-the-match Santosh Bhatt struck a quick fire half century lifting his side to 136-4. Bhatt then returned to pick up two wickets as Santoshi Tole were bundled out for 55 runs in 16.1 overs.

No 8 batsman Mahesh Adhikari top scored for Santoshi Tole with an 11-ball 21 that included three sixes. Chandra Saud wreaked havoc in the top order picking up three wickets. Saud had the figures of 3-4 from four overs. Ashish Bam also had two scalps.

Campus Road innings was built around Bhatt’s explosive knock. He hit eight boundaries and two sixes in his 32-ball 62 not out. Saroj Ayer made 22 off 30 with two fours.

Nepal coach Gyotoku Koji on Monday announced a 23-member squad for a friendly against Malaysia U-22 team slated for March 27 at the Tuanku Abdul Rahman Stadium Paroi in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia.

The new coach, who took over the national team earlier this month, retained most of the players that were part of the 12th South Asian Games in India and Bangabandhu Gold Cup. “Only players who were injured or away from the country were left out,” said Koji. The Japanese kept faith with the youngsters following their title winning run at the SA Games and Bangabandhu Gold Cup.

“We have picked up mostly youngsters keeping in mind the future prospects,” added the former Japanese international, who was the head coach of Bhutan in 2008-09. He also said that since Nepal were playing against the U-22 team, it was logical to pick players of same age group.

Koji said its too early to give views on Nepali football but said he has seen huge potentials in players after watching domestic football tournament in Simara. “The friendly game in Malaysia will give me some idea of Nepali players. Of course, we would like to win the match but result is less significant,” said the coach. For now, Koji plans to keep the national team in regular training by including few more players despite having no international matches this year.

All Nepal Football Association (Anfa) Chief Executive Officer Indra Man Tuladhar said the friendly game was part of their effort to give exposure the national team. “We don’t have any international matches until the 2017 Saff Championship,” said Tuladhar. “That is the reason we have fixed the friendly to get the players involved in games. Our focus is the Saff Championship and the World Cup Qualifiers thereafter.”

Tuladhar thanked Japanese Football Association (JFA) for helping find the coach for Nepal. Koji appointment came after Anfa brought in compatriot Takeda Chiaki as technical director in February for one year.

Koji has agreed upon a year contract with the All Nepal Football Association. Koji has inked an initial contract for 11 months with monthly remuneration of $5,200. “His contract expires on January 31 next year but we can extend it to further two years,” said Tuladhar.

The team includes five forwards, six midfielders, nine defenders and three goalkeepers. Bimal Gharti Magar, Anjan Bista and Ananta Tamang were included in the squad due to their commitments for Spain’s non-league club Marbella United FC, while veteran striker Anil Gurung was ignored.

Nepal Squad

Biraj Maharjan (cap), Bharat Khawas, Bijay Dhimal, Bikesh Kuthu, Bishal Rai, Bishal Shrestha, Bishwas Shrestha, Devendra Tamang, Dinesh Rajbanshi, Heman Gurung, Jagajeet Shrestha, Jitendra Karki, Kamal Shrestha, Kiran Kumar Limbu, Man Bahadur Tamang, Nawayug Shrestha, Prakash Budhathoki, Rabin Shrestha, Ranjan Bista, Ranjit Dhimal, Sujal Shrestha, Suman Lama, Sunil Bal

Newly appointed Nepali Football Team Head Coach Gyotoku Koji on Monday announced a 23-member squad for the friendly match against Malaysia U-22 team.

Former captain Anil Gurung has been left out of the squad and Biraj Maharjan is assigned to captain the side. The coaching staff constitute of Raju Kaji Shakya (Assistant Coach), Mrigendra Mishra (Goalkeeping Coach) and Koji himself. “The friendly will pave a way for me to understand my players as I am new to Nepali football,” Koji said.

The friendly is scheduled to be played on March 27.

The final squad:

Goalkeepers: Bikesh Kuthu, Bishal Shrestha, Kiran Limbu

Defenders: Bijay Dhimal, Devendra Tamang, Dinesh Rajhbanshi, Jitendra Karki, Kamal Shrestha, Man Bahadur Tamang, Ranjit Dhimal, Rabin Shrestha

Midfielders: Jagjeet Shrestha, Bishal Rai, Heman Gurung, Prakash Budhathoki, Sujal Shrestha, Sunil Bal

Forwards: Bharat Khawas, Biswash Shrestha, Nawayug shrestha, Ranjan Bista, Suman Lama