Sujal Shrestha
Sujal Shrestha began his football career by graduating from ANFA Academy in 2006. In 2007, he joined the Sankata Boys Sports Club where he played for a year. In 2008, he signed for the Manang Marshyangdi Club. Sujal Shrestha made his international debut for Nepal against Bhutan in Pokhara, Nepal in 2011. Since then, he played 37 matches for Nepal and scored three goals.
On March 23, 2023, Sujal Shrestha announced his retirement from international football through a post on his Facebook page. In the post, he explained that he was leaving Nepal because he wanted to be with his friends and secure his future in Australia.
Shrestha also mentioned that he felt this was the right time to retire, given the abundance of young talents in the team who need more opportunities to play and grow. Despite his retirement from international football, he expressed interest in playing club football in Nepal in the near future. Sujal has played 37 games for Nepal, scoring three goals and leading the team to gold medal in the 2019 South Asian Games.
Sujal Shrestha’s Retirement Post
In his retirement announcement, Sujal expressed his gratitude for being able to represent Nepal in international football for 11 years. He shared that he had many happy moments but also some bad experiences during his journey. With all the memories he has made, he believes that it is time for him to retire from the national team. Shrestha feels honoured to have been able to wear the national colours for such a long time and believes that he has completed his duty by giving his best performances during his career.
He also mentioned that it is now the turn for the new generation of players who are talented and skillful. Shrestha is also confident that these young players will make Nepal proud in the future through their beautiful football and believes that this is the right time for him to quit international football and give the younger players the chance to shine.
Sujal Shrestha’s Achievement with Nepali Footall
Shrestha is a talented football player who has contributed significantly to Nepali football history. During the final match of the 2016 AFC Solidarity Cup, Shrestha scored a crucial goal against Macau. This led Nepal to their first and only title at an AFC level. The remarkable achievement will forever be remembered as a milestone in Nepali football history.
Likewise he led the Nepali team as the captain in the 2019 South Asian Games football men’s tournament. This tournament was exclusively for Olympic teams that comprised players under the age of 23 and was not considered a senior level achievement. However, under Sujal’s captaincy, Nepal won the gold medal in football at the 2019 SAG. He also scored three goals in the tournament, which was the highest among all the players, alongside his team mate Abhishek Rijal.
Furthermore, Shrestha’s first-ever goal for the national team was against Timor Leste in a World Cup 2014 qualifier match. Shrestha’s dedication, hard work, and passion for the game have made him an inspiration for young footballers in Nepal. Similarly, his contributions to Nepali football will be remembered for many years to come.
In addition to his remarkable achievements at an international level, Shrestha has also made significant contributions to Nepali football through his success at the domestic level. Shrestha has won four league titles [ Martyr’s Memorial A-Division League ], two each with Manang Marsyangdi Club and Machhindra FC.
Total Goals Scored by Sujal Shrestha for Nepal: Dates, Opponents, and Competitions
| Date | Opponent | Competition |
|---|---|---|
| 2 July 2011 | Timor-Leste | 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier |
| 15 November 2016 | Macau | 2016 AFC Solidarity Cup |
| 1 February 2022 | Mauritius | Friendly |
Shrestha played a total of 37 matches for Nepal throughout his career, scoring in three significant international football matches.
His first goal was against Timor-Leste in a 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier on 2nd July 2011, which Nepal won with a 5-0 scoreline.
Likewise, his second goal was in the 2016 AFC Solidarity Cup final against Macau on 15th November 2016, where he scored the winning goal, earning Nepal their first and only title of an AFC level tournament.
Similarly, his third and final goal for Nepal was in a friendly match against Mauritius on 1st February 2022. In that match against the African nation Mauritius, Nepal emerged victorious with a 1-0 scoreline. Despite scoring in only three significant international matches, Shrestha played an important role in Nepalese football.
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