Sujal Shrestha

Sujal Shrestha
2014 by Subas Humagain
Personal information
Date of birth (1992-02-05) 5 February 1992 (age 32)
Place of birth Dhankuta, Nepal
Height 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Position(s) Left winger
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2011–2023 Manang Marshyangdi
2015Bhutan Clearing F.C. (loan) 2 (4)
International career
2011–2023 Nepal 37 (3)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Sujal Shrestha (Nepali: सुजल श्रेष्ठ) (born 4 February 1993)[1] is a Nepali professional footballer who plays as a left winger. He represented the Nepal national team internationally and was part of Nepal's squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Club career

Shrestha was born in Dhankuta. After graduating from ANFA Academy in 2006 he joined the Sankata Boys Sports Club a year later, he then signed for the Manang Marshyangdi Club in 2008.[2]

Shrestha scored the equalizing goal in an AFC President's Cup match against FC HTTU. Manang Marshyangdi though lost the match 3–1.[3][4]

Shrestha played for Manang Marshyangdi Club at the 35 edition Governor's Gold Cup. On 19 October Shrestha scored a penalty kick in the semifinals in a 3–1 win over Sikkim FA.[5][6] On 21 October in the final against ONGC F.C. Shretha scored another penalty kick after Cederic Aba was brought down in the box, and then set up Zikahi Dodoz for MMC's second goal as they came from 2–0 down to tie 2-2. MMC however would go on to lose the match on penalty kicks.[7]

In the group stage match of the 2014 Aaha! Rara Gold Cup Shrestha scoring in the seventh twice in an eventual 7–0 win over Kanchanjunga FC of Sikkim, India.[8][9]

On 2 July 2015, Shrestha signed a monthlong loan deal with CFC Bhutan, with the option of a second month. Shrestha is joined by fellow MMC player Rupesh KC as well as Surendra Thapa of Morang XI. The players will each be paid 64,000 rupees a month.[10] On 25 July 2015, he scored his first goal with brace for CFC Bhutan as they beat Paro United FC 3–1.[11] On 2 August 2015, he accelerated his goalscoring ability and scored twice in Bhutan national league for CFC Bhutan against FC Tertons as game remained stalemate.[12]

International career

Shrestha made his debut for the Nepal national team against Bhutan at Pokhara in 2011.[13] He scored his first international goal in a 5–0 world qualifier match victory against Timor-Leste.[14][15] He also played for Nepal at the 2012 Nehru Cup.[16][17] In 2016, he scored second goal for Nepal against Macau in 2016 AFC Solidarity Cup. Shrestha's third international goal came against African nation Mauritius in 2022 international friendly.

On 23 March 2023, Shrestha announced his retirement from international football.

Career statistics

Scores and results list Nepal's goal tally first.
# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 2 July 2011 Dasarath Rangasala Stadium, Kathmandu  East Timor
5–0
5–0
2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier
2. 15 November 2016 Sarawak stadium, Kuching  Macau
1–0
1–0
2016 AFC Solidarity Cup
3. 1 February 2022 Dasharath Stadium, Kathmandu  Mauritius
1–0
1–0
Friendly

References

  1. ^ Soccerway profile
  2. ^ "Sujal Shrestha, goalnepal profile". Retrieved 3 May 2014.
  3. ^ "AFC President's Cup 2014: MMC Coach Nabin Neupane: The Second Goal Was The Turning Point For Us". GoalNepal.com. 22 September 2014. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  4. ^ "FC HTTU vs Manang Marshyangdi Club Match Report". AFC.com. 22 September 2014. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  5. ^ "Breaking News: MMC Beats Sikkim FA To Enter Finals In 35th Governor's Gold Cup". goalnepal.com. 20 October 2014. Retrieved 19 October 2014.
  6. ^ "35 Governor's Gold Cup Trophy: MMC Vs Sikkim FA Match Highlights - Vido". goalnepal.com. 20 October 2014. Retrieved 20 October 2014.
  7. ^ "Breaking News: MMC Lose To ONGC Mumbai In The 35th Governor's Gold Cup Final". goalnepal.com. 22 October 2014. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
  8. ^ "Manang Marshyangdi vs Kanchanjunga FC - Live Scores". GoalNepal.com. 6 February 2015. Retrieved 7 February 2015.
  9. ^ "13th Aaha! Rara Gold Cup: MMC Hammers KFC, India To Set Up Mouth-watering QF Clash Against Nepal Army". GoalNepal.com. 6 February 2015. Retrieved 7 February 2015.
  10. ^ "Now, Bhutanese Club Signs Nepalese Players; Sujal Shrestha, Rupesh KC, Surendra Thapa Sign For CFC Bhutan". GoalNepal.com. 2 July 2015. Retrieved 2 July 2015.
  11. ^ "Sujal Shrestha Scored a hat trick As Clearing FC Beats Paro United FC in Bhutan national league". GoalNepal.com. 25 July 2015. Retrieved 26 July 2015.
  12. ^ "Sujal Shrestha Scores A Brace As CFC Bhutan Plays Stalemate With FC Tertons In Bhutan National League". GoalNepal.com. 2 August 2015. Retrieved 2 August 2015.
  13. ^ "Sujal Shrestha, goalnepal profile". Retrieved 3 May 2014.
  14. ^ "Sujal Shrestha, FIFA profile". Archived from the original on 27 March 2013. Retrieved 3 May 2014.
  15. ^ "Nepal vs Timor-Leste Match Report". FIFA. 2 July 2011. Archived from the original on 10 May 2014. Retrieved 3 May 2014.
  16. ^ "Nepal vs Cameroon Lineups and Statistics". Goal.com. 26 August 2012. Retrieved 3 May 2014.
  17. ^ "Syria vs Nepal Lineups and Statistics". Goal.com. 30 August 2012. Retrieved 3 May 2014.