Confusion on selection over

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, April 1: The confusion over the selection of Nepalese football team for the 2002 World Cup qualifying matches has ended.

The row has come to an end after a national selection committee, headed by the National Sports Council member Dawa Gurung, finalised the selection of a 23-member Nepalese contingent.

Those who are in the contingent are: Upendra Man Singh, Sanjeev Joshi and Ramesh Lama for goal keeper; Rakesh Shrestha, Anil Subba, Anil Tuladhar, Narottam Gautam, Anil Adhikary, Narayan Manandhar and Dev Narayan Chaudhary in defence. Similarly, Prakash Ranamagar, Ramesh Gyanwali, Ananta Thapa, Balgopal Maharjan, Kumar Thapa, Shukta Tamang and Deepak Lama are selected for mid-field and for the forwards Hari Khadka, Basanta Thapa, Rajan Rayamajhi, Nirajan Rayamajhi, Dilli Ram Shrestha and Ramesh Budhathoki have been selected.

The players have been instructed to be present at the Dasharath Stadium for the final selection tomorrow (Monday) at 14:00. Nepal is in Group VI along with Iraq, Kazakhastan and Macau. The first leg matches of the group will be held in Iraq while the second leg matches will be held in Kazakhastan.

Meanwhile, the row over the two national football associations has already cost Nepal the chance of organising the qualifying matches. Earlier, Nepal was selected as the venue but the controversy the venue was shifted to those countries.