AFC Challenge League: Church Boys playing against Paro FC

KATHMANDU: Nepali league champions Church Boys United is facing Bhutanese team Paro FC in the playoffs of the AFC Challenge League today.

The match is scheduled to kick off at 6 PM at Dasharath Stadium in Tripureshwar, Kathmandu.

Church Boys United is led by captain Ananta Tamang, while Paro FC will be under the guidance of their captain, Kinley Wangchuk.

Paro FC boasts a squad of 11 foreign players, including Japanese star Keisuke Honda, a three-time World Cup veteran, posing a significant challenge for the Church Boys.

However, Church Boys United also features many members of the Nepalese national team, which will provide a glimpse of the national squad in action against Bhutanese opposition.

In their previous encounter at Dasharath Stadium last year, Paro FC suffered a 3-2 defeat to Machindra Club in the first round of the AFC Cup.

The group stage matches are set to take place on October 26 and November 2 on a ‘home and away’ basis.

Church Boys United have been preparing intensively for this competition over the past month.

Coach Balgopal Maharjan is optimistic about the synergy among players, many of whom have represented the national team, and believes this will positively influence their performance.

Paro FC, currently leading their league in Bhutan, has bolstered their squad for the match against Church Boys by recruiting five new players from Japan, Europe, and Africa.