After a disappointing 4-0 defeat against hosts Tajikistan in their opening fixture of the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers, Nepal’s junior football team is set to face a much tougher challenge against Syria on Sunday.
Nepal traveled to Tajikistan with high hopes and big expectations compared to previous editions. However, the heavy loss in the first match left both players and fans disheartened. To turn that disappointment into hope, the U23 squad will need to deliver a respectable performance against Syria, the strongest team in their group.
Head-to-Head and Background
This will be the first-ever meeting between Nepal U23 and Syria U23 in the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers. Currently, Nepal sits at 176th in the FIFA rankings, while Syria stands much higher at 91st.
Syria has a rich history in this competition. They have participated four times (2013, 2016, 2018, 2020) and even reached the quarterfinals in 2013 and 2020. However, they failed to qualify in the last two editions (2022 and 2024). Determined not to repeat those setbacks, Syria started their current campaign with a narrow 2-1 victory over the Philippines, putting them in a strong position ahead of the Nepal clash.
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Nepal’s Struggles in the U23 Qualifiers
Nepal’s U23 side has endured a rough history in this tournament. Since hosting the qualifiers in 2012, Nepal has not registered a single win or even scored a goal in the last four editions. In fact, they have conceded 47 goals while scoring just 6—all of which came in the 2013 edition when Nepal defeated Bangladesh 4-1 on home soil. That remains Nepal’s only win in U23 Qualifiers history.
The 4-0 loss to Tajikistan in Dushanbe once again highlighted Nepal’s struggles at this level. With no points on the board, their path to qualification already looks extremely difficult.
Syria – A Strong and Experienced Opponent
Syria comes into the tie with strong footballing traditions and tactical discipline. Known for their physicality, quick pace, and attacking mindset, Syria boasts players with experience in top Middle Eastern leagues, which gives them a significant edge in strength and exposure.
On paper, Syria is the overwhelming favorite. But football is a game of moments, and Nepal will look to capitalize on counter-attacks and minimize defensive errors to stay in the contest.
Match Details
- Fixture: Nepal U23 vs Syria U23
- Tournament: AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers
- Venue: Central Republican Stadium, Dushanbe, Tajikistan
- Date & Time: Sunday, 7:45 PM Nepal Standard Time
- Live Streaming: Available via sajhakhel.com, the official broadcast partner.
Final Word
For Nepal, this match is not just about points—it’s about pride and proving they can compete against stronger Asian sides. While Syria will aim for a big win to boost their qualification hopes, Nepal will try to shock everyone with a surprise performance.