DUSHANBE — Nepal U-23 are aiming for a strong comeback when they face Syria U-23 in their second Group K match of the AFC U-23 Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers.
Syria began their campaign with a 2–1 victory over the Philippines, while Nepal suffered a 4–0 defeat to hosts Tajikistan in the opener. This makes the clash a crucial test for coach Nabin Neupane’s side.
One major boost for Nepal will be the return of captain Aayush Ghalan, who missed the first match due to a one-match suspension. The ban was carried over from an incident during the AFC U-20 Qualifiers two years ago, when Ghalan was punished for misconduct after showing a middle finger. With his pace and attacking spark, he is expected to play a key role against Syria.
📺 Where to Watch:
The match will be streamed live on the official Football TV Tajikistan YouTube channel.
Match Details
-
Fixture: Nepal U-23 vs Syria U-23
-
Date: September 6, 2025
-
Kick-off: 18:45 NST
-
Venue: Republican Central Stadium, Dushanbe
-
Live Streaming: Football TV Tajikistan (YouTube)
Group K Standings
-
Tajikistan: 3 pts (4–0 win vs Nepal)
-
Syria: 3 pts (2–1 win vs Philippines)
-
Philippines: 0 pts
-
Nepal: 0 pts
Only the group winners and the best four runners-up across 11 groups will qualify for the 2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia.
Nepal’s rising stars like Aayush Ghalan (captain), Kritish Ratna Chunju, Santosh Khatri, and Aron Thapa face a must-step-up moment to keep the dream alive.
#nepalifootball #nepalvssyria