Kathmandu, June 17
Nepal get a direct pass for the third round after Qatar and China qualify for finals as their group winners and runners-up.
Nepal have qualified for the final rounds of the AFC Asian Cup 2023 qualifiers after the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) announced changes in the qualification on Wednesday.
Nepal, who were set to go through the playoffs, get and direct entry to the final round of Asian qualifiers as defending Champions Qatar and next edition’s host China qualified for the AFC finals as group winners and best four runners up among all eight groups.
Nepal finished fourth in Group ‘B’, with teams including Australia, Kuwait, Jordan and Chinese Taipei. Along with Nepal, three of the lowest ranked second-placed teams, all eight third- and fourth-placed teams across Groups ‘A’ to ‘H’, as well as three best fifth-placed teams have qualified for the 24-team qualifiers final rounds.
The Nepalese, Abdullah Al Mutairi, coach was overjoyed by the news as he shared the information through his Facebook page saying, “Nepal in the third round of Asian qualifiers. We will wait for the draw after the play offs in September.” He further added using the current FIFA window for international friendlies would benefit the national team.