Sujal Shrestha
{{Short description|Nepalese footballer (born 1993)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Sujal Shrestha
| image = Sujal Shrestha by @SubasTheOne.jpg
| caption = 2014 by Subas Humagain
| full_name =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1992|2|5|df=y}}
| birth_place = Dhankuta, Nepal
| height = {{height|ft=5|in=11}}
| position = Left winger
| currentclub =
| clubnumber =
| years1 = 2011–2023
| clubs1 = Manang Marshyangdi
| caps1 =
| goals1 =
| years2 = 2015
| clubs2 = → Bhutan Clearing F.C. (loan)
| caps2 = 2
| goals2 = 4
| nationalyears1 = 2011–2023
| nationalteam1 = Nepal
| nationalcaps1 = 37
| nationalgoals1 = 3
| medaltemplates =
}}
Sujal Shrestha ({{langx|ne|सुजल श्रेष्ठ}}) (born 4 February 1993)[https://int.soccerway.com/players/sujal-shrestha/181682/ Soccerway] profile 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.{{cite web|title=Sujal Shrestha, goalnepal profile |url=http://www.goalnepal.com/nplayer_profile-pid-136.html|access-date=3 May 2014}}
Shrestha scored the equalizing goal in an AFC President's Cup match against FC HTTU. Manang Marshyangdi though lost the match 3–1.{{cite web|title=AFC President's Cup 2014: MMC Coach Nabin Neupane: The Second Goal Was The Turning Point For Us |url=http://www.goalnepal.com/news.php?id=21890 |work=GoalNepal.com |date=22 September 2014 |access-date=22 September 2014 }}{{cite web|title=FC HTTU vs Manang Marshyangdi Club Match Report |url=http://www.the-afc.com/en/component/afcasfeeds/?fixtureid=8738&stageid=342&tMode=C&view=ajax&show=matchsummary |work=AFC.com |date=22 September 2014 |access-date=22 September 2014 }}
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.{{cite web|title=Breaking News: MMC Beats Sikkim FA To Enter Finals In 35th Governor's Gold Cup |url=http://www.goalnepal.com/news.php?id=22153 |work=goalnepal.com |access-date=19 October 2014 |date=20 October 2014}}{{cite web|title=35 Governor's Gold Cup Trophy: MMC Vs Sikkim FA Match Highlights - Vido |url=http://www.goalnepal.com/news.php?id=22166 |work=goalnepal.com |access-date=20 October 2014 |date=20 October 2014}} 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.{{cite web|title=Breaking News: MMC Lose To ONGC Mumbai In The 35th Governor's Gold Cup Final |url=http://www.goalnepal.com/news.php?id=22179 |work=goalnepal.com |access-date=21 October 2014 |date=22 October 2014}}
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.{{cite web|title=Manang Marshyangdi vs Kanchanjunga FC - Live Scores |url=http://www.goalnepal.com/matchinfo.php?id=1778 |work=GoalNepal.com |date=6 February 2015 |access-date=7 February 2015}}{{cite web|title=13th Aaha! Rara Gold Cup: MMC Hammers KFC, India To Set Up Mouth-watering QF Clash Against Nepal Army |url=http://www.goalnepal.com/news.php?id=23228 |work=GoalNepal.com |date=6 February 2015 |access-date=7 February 2015}}
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.{{cite web|title=Now, Bhutanese Club Signs Nepalese Players; Sujal Shrestha, Rupesh KC, Surendra Thapa Sign For CFC Bhutan |url=http://www.goalnepal.com/news.php?id=24395 |work=GoalNepal.com |date=2 July 2015 |access-date=2 July 2015}} On 25 July 2015, he scored his first goal with brace for CFC Bhutan as they beat Paro United FC 3–1.{{cite web|title=Sujal Shrestha Scored a hat trick As Clearing FC Beats Paro United FC in Bhutan national league|url=http://www.goalnepal.com/news.php?id=24523 |work=GoalNepal.com |date=25 July 2015 |access-date=26 July 2015}} 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.{{cite web|title=Sujal Shrestha Scores A Brace As CFC Bhutan Plays Stalemate With FC Tertons In Bhutan National League|url=http://www.goalnepal.com/news.php?id=24573 |work=GoalNepal.com |date=2 August 2015 |access-date=2 August 2015}}
International career
Shrestha made his debut for the Nepal national team against Bhutan at Pokhara in 2011.{{cite web|title=Sujal Shrestha, goalnepal profile |url=http://www.goalnepal.com/nplayer_profile-pid-136.html|access-date=3 May 2014}} He scored his first international goal in a 5–0 world qualifier match victory against Timor-Leste.{{cite web|title=Sujal Shrestha, FIFA profile |url=https://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/statisticsandrecords/players/player=345325/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130327200201/http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/statisticsandrecords/players/player=345325/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=27 March 2013 |access-date=3 May 2014}}{{cite web|title=Nepal vs Timor-Leste Match Report|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=257783/match=300159173/index.html#nosticky |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140510125245/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=257783/match=300159173/index.html#nosticky |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 May 2014 |publisher= FIFA |date=2 July 2011 |access-date=3 May 2014}} He also played for Nepal at the 2012 Nehru Cup.{{cite web|title=Nepal vs Cameroon Lineups and Statistics |url=http://www.goal.com/en-india/match/89422/nepal-vs-cameroon/lineup-stats?ICID=OP |publisher= Goal.com |date=26 August 2012 |access-date=3 May 2014}}{{cite web|title=Syria vs Nepal Lineups and Statistics |url=http://www.goal.com/en-india/match/89428/syria-vs-nepal/lineup-stats?ICID=OP |publisher= Goal.com |date=30 August 2012 |access-date=3 May 2014}} 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.
| class="wikitable" | ||||||
| # | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 2 July 2011 | Dasarath Rangasala Stadium, Kathmandu | {{fb|TLS}} | {{center|5–0}} | {{center|5–0}} | 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier |
| 2. | 15 November 2016 | Sarawak stadium, Kuching | {{fb|MAC}} | {{center|1–0}} | {{center|1–0}} | 2016 AFC Solidarity Cup |
| 3. | 1 February 2022 | Dasharath Stadium, Kathmandu | {{fb|Mauritius}} | {{center|1–0}} | {{center|1–0}} | Friendly |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{NFT player|pid=42654}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Shrestha, Sujal}}
Category:Footballers from Kathmandu
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Nepalese men's footballers
Category:Nepal men's international footballers
Category:Manang Marshyangdi Club players
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Bhutan
Category:Nepalese expatriate sportspeople in Bhutan
Category:Nepalese expatriate men's footballers
Category:Nepalese expatriate sportspeople in India
Category:South Asian Games gold medalists for Nepal
Category:South Asian Games medalists in football