Participation and performance of Nepali Club in AFC President Cup

Nepali League champions Manang Marshyagdi Club (MMC) have released five players and have recruited one goalkeeper from Jawalakhel Youth Club for AFC President’s Cup 2014 Qualifiers which is going to be held in the first week of May in Mangolia.MMC is taking part the championship being the league winner of Nepal for the second time.MMC are grouped with the host league champions and Cambodian league champions. Manang Marshyagdi Club had released goalkeeper Brijesh Singh, defender Pratap Sainju, Sunil BK and African recruit Yousuff. Similarly star African forward Yona Elias also leave MMC. Meanwhile, MMC have recruited goalkeeper Birendra Bahadur Chand from Jawalakehl Youth Club, Biraj Maharjan and Deepak Bhusal from Three Star Club.

Likewise, MMC president Jamling Ghale informed that veteran midfielder Nabin Neupane will act as a caretaker coach for the club in AFC President Cup.MMC have separated relation with coach Hari Om Shrestha and now appointed Neupane to handle the club for AFC President’s Cup and for the new season. Nabin Neupane has served MMC for a long time and have AFC B License certificate.

League champions have announced 17 members squad for AFC President Cup 2014 which is going to be held from May 1 on Mongolia. MMC will play their first match against Svarieng FC and FC Erchim on May 5. 

It is good news for MMC as their duo influential midfielder, Shiva Shrestha and Sulav Maskey are back again to their full fitness after Shrestha and Maskey were injured during knockout tournaments. Similarly, forward Nirajan Malla is also back in team with full fitness.

MMC final squad

Goalkeeper: Bishal Shrestha, Birendra Bahadur Chand, Bimal Gurmachane

Defender: Sagar Thapa( Captain), Biraj Maharjan Peter Segun, Saheed Aziz, Deepak Bhushal, Bikram Limbu

Midfielder: Rupesh KC, Shiva Shrestha, Sulav Maskey, Bishal Rai, Sujal Shrestha

Forward: Anil Gurung (Vice Captain), Nirajan Malla, Deepak Rai

Coach: Nabin Neupane

Manager: Kumar Bhattarai.

Group A (Sri Lanka to host)

SN	Name of Club	Country
1	KRL	Pakistan
2	Sheikh Russel Krira Chakara Ltd	Bangladesh
3	Ugyen Academy	Bhutan
4	Sri Lanka Air Force	Sri Lanka

Group B (Philippines to host)

SN	Name of Club	Country
1	Ceres	Philippines
2	HTTU Asgabat	Turkmenistan
3	Tatung	Chinese Taipei
4	Rimyongsu	North Korea

Group C (Mongolia to host)

SN	Name of Club	Country
1	Erchim	Mongolia
2	Manang Marshaygdi Club	Nepal
3	Svay Rieng	Cambodia

Nepali Football Club participation in AFC President Cup

SN	Nepali Team	Year	Progress
1	Three Star Club	2005 AD	Semi Final
2	Manang Marshyagdi Club	2006 AD	Out from Group Stage
3	Mahendra Police Club	2007 AD	Runner Up
4	Mahendra Police Club	2008 AD	Semi Final
5	Nepal Police Club	2009 AD	Semi Final
6	New Road Team	2010 AD	Out from Group Stage
7	Nepal Police Club	2011 AD	Out from Group Stage
8	Nepal Police Club	2012 AD	Out from Group Stage
9	Three Star Club	2013 AD	Out from Group Stage
10	Manang Marshagdi Club	2014 AD	??

Looking at the above table, Nepal Police Club is the most successful Nepali club in AFC President Cup. Nepal Police Club is the only side from South Asia to reach final of the tournament. Nepali star forward Ramesh Budhathoki was the hero of the tournament who score a winning goal against three times champions Reger Tadaz in semi final of the match. Can current league leader make all Nepal and Nepali proud as Nepal Police Club and Ramesh Budhathoki, Ritesh Thapa, Jumanu Rai and Ananta Thapa did it in 2007 AD.