KATHMANDU: Nepal will play host nation Tajikistan in the opening match of the AFC U-23 Asian Cup Qualifiers.

The match is scheduled to kick off at 8:15 p.m. Nepali time at the Pamir Stadium in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. Nepal has been drawn into Group K alongside Tajikistan, the Philippines, and Syria.

Nepal will face Syria on September 6 in its second match, followed by the Philippines on September 9. Earlier today, the Philippines and Syria will clash in the first group game.

The qualifiers will be played in a single round-robin format. The group winners will secure a spot in next year’s AFC U-23 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia, while the four best runners-up across the 11 groups will also qualify.

Nepal’s squad includes goalkeepers Krishal Moktan, Amit Tamata, and Bishal KC. Defenders are Vivek Gurung, Bishal Nepali, Lahan Subba, Nigma Lama, Ram Thapa, Shankar Tharu, and Semanta Thapa.

The midfield lineup features Abhishek Syangtang, Ayush Ghalan, Aaron Thapa, Niraj Karki, Dipesh Gurung, Kritish Ratna Chhunju, Pujan Thapa, Sanjiv Lama, Santosh Khatri, Sujan Magar, and Sumit Shrestha. Forwards include Rohan Khadgi and Nirajan Dhami.