Nepalese footballer
Samir Tamang is a Nepalese professional footballer who currently plays for Martyr's Memorial A-Division League club Church Boys United and the Nepal national team.
Club career
Born in Nijgadh, Tamang was originally a cricket player before shifting his focus to football. He initially played as a goalkeeper before a hand injury forced him to become a forward. He had not competed in any domestic league prior to his international debuts because of a lack of competitions in his region. Therefore, he competed in only district, provincial and central level selections.[1] In 2023, Tamang competed in the Aaha! Gold Cup with Salesh Youth Club. He scored two goals against Gaighat FC to advance to the semi-finals and was named Man of the Match for his performance.[2] He scored and was named the Man of the Match again as Salesh Youth Club defeated Birgunj United FC to advance to the final.[3]
In January 2024, Tamang made his Martyr's Memorial A-Division League debut after joining Church Boys United.[1] He scored his club's only goal in an Aaha! Gold Cup victory over Nepal Police which saw Church Boys United advance to the semi-final. Tamang was named Man of the Match for his performance.[4] In the next match, he again scored his team's lone tally as the club defeated Nepal Army to advance to the final. Tamang was again named Man of the Match.[5]
International career
As a youth, Tamang represented Nepal at the 2023 SAFF U-19 Championship and the 2024 SAFF U-20 Championship. He scored three goals and was the competition's joint top scorer in 2023.[1] He scored two more goals in the 2024 tournament, including Nepal's only goal in a defeat to Bangladesh in the final.[6][7]
In February 2024, Tamang scored two goals for the Nepal national under-23 team in a 5–1 victory over a representative team from China's Yushu Prefecture.[8][9] Later in 2024, he was the second-highest scorer in 2025 AFC U-20 Asian Cup qualification with four goals, including a hat-trick against Chinese Taipei.[10]
Tamang received his first senior international call up in March 2024 for a pair of 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification matches against Bahrain.[11] In preparation for qualification, Nepal played an unofficial friendly against Malaysia. Tamang scored Nepal's only goal in the eventual 1–5 defeat.[12] He made his official debut on 21 March 2024 in the first match against Bahrain, coming on as a second-half substitute.[13] The following month, he was called up again for an friendly against the England C team.[14]
International statistics
- As of match played 21 March 2024[13]
| Nepal
|
| Year |
Apps |
Goals
|
| 2024 |
1 |
0
|
| Total |
1 |
0
|
International goals
Youth
References
External links
