Nepal vs Sri Lanka preview, team news, lineup & prediction | SAFF U19 Championship 2025

The Young Gorkhalis will be facing Simha Simhaya in their opening encounter.

The Nepal U19 national team will be opening their SAFF U19 Championship 2025 campaign against the Sri Lanka U19 national team on May 11 at the Golden Jubilee Stadium.

The game set to take place on Sunday in Yupia, Arunachal Pradesh, presents a game between two sides at different frames of mind at the moment.

Nepal U19, led by Urjan Shrestha, will be looking to reclaim their crown with players like Sujan Dangol and Pawan Parkhin in their ranks.

While the Simha Simhaya will be eager to give a good account of themselves after 8-0 loss to India, the squad possesses some promising overseas-based Sri Lankan nationals like Omith Edirisinghe and Ayman Zawahir.

The Stakes

Nepal

The Young Gorkhalis will be looking to make a great first impression in their opening encounter against Sri Lanka. As one of the former winners, Nepal will be a formidable opposition against any team in the competition.

While it’s been almost a decade since their last SAFF U19 Championship title win, the Young Gorkhalis will be the favorites to beat the island nation on Sunday.

Sri Lanka

A win will be essential for Sri Lanka U19, as they will be under pressure to win after their opening game 0-8 loss to India U19 . However, Sri Lanka U19 will have some aces up their sleeves against Nepal U19, with a mix of local talent and overseas-based players.

A successful debut SAFF U19 Championships campaign will usher in a new chapter in youth football for the island nation. While they have lost their last game comprehensively against India, they will be looking to get some form back against Nepal.

ALSO READ: India romp to 8-0 victory over Sri Lanka in SAFF U19 Championship opener

Team and Injury News:

The Young Gorkhalis are expected to have a fully fit squad ahead of the game. The Simha Simhaya are expected to have a fully fit squad ahead of the game.

Head-to-Head Record:

This will be the first meeting between Nepal and Sri Lanka in head-to-head games.

Squads

Nepal confirmed squad for the SAFF U19 Championship 2025

Goalkeepers: Bhakta Bahadur Pariyar, Upendra Lwagun, Bishesh Baniya

Defenders: Roshan Tamang, Rohan Moktan, Prashant Moktan, Kushahang Nembang, Madan Paudel, Ram Thapa, Bijay Urba, Siddhant Khadka

Midfielders: Krishna Bahadur Ale, Krish Thapa Magar, Saroj Darlami, Lachhu Thapa, Sabin Kumar Lungeli Magar, Ranjeet Lama, Subash Bam, Bigyan Khadka

Forwards: Pawan Pakhrin, Dharbendra Kunwar, Sujan Dangol, Prasun Tamang

Sri Lanka confirmed squad for the SAFF U19 Championship 2025

Goalkeepers: Anuk Shahiil Dassanayake, Nadal Aaron Senapala, Mohamed Rikas Muhammed

Defenders: Ayman Zawahir, Omith Edirisinghe, Abdul Rahman, Mohammad Irfan, Mohammad Shahid, Mohammad Aashif, Roisan Bright

Midfielders: Vijayaratnam Haris, Hafeef Akram, Aidan Francis Perera, Mohamed Maziyad, Faris Umar, Abdallah Faiz, Zafarullah Zakariyya

Forwards: Rashad Shihab, Anupa Pabasara, Mohamed Hussain, Hussain Abdullah, Hirun Mirasha, Mohamed Katheem

Players To Watch

Sujan Dangol (Nepal U19)

Dangol will be one of the brightest stars playing in this year’s SAFF U19 Championship. The Young Gorkhalis will be relying on his poacher instincts to beat the Simha Simhaya on Sunday.

Dangol was the top-scorer in the 2024 SAFF U17 Championship with four goals and will be in the search for more in the U19 edition this year.

Zafarullah Zakariyya (Sri Lanka U19)

The Manchester City Football Schools youth product has three international caps for Sri Lanka Under-17s to his name. Having made his debut on his 15th birthday against Bhutan in a South Asian Football Federation tournament, the expectations are high on Zafarullah to shine once again.

Since the tender age of three, Zafarullah dreamed of being a professional footballer, but he will now get an opportunity to represent Sri Lanka at the SAFF U19 Championships.

Telecast Details:

The match between Nepal U19 and Sri Lanka U19 will take place at the Golden Jubilee Stadium, Yupia, on Sunday, May 11, 2025. It will kick off at 7:30 PM IST. The match will be streamed live on Sportzworkz YouTube channel.

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