The Nepali national football team has lined up a friendly match against Japan Friends – a team comprised of Japanese professional footballers.

The November 19 friendly at the Anfa Complex in Satdobato will mark the 60th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between Nepal and Japan. Colorbath, a Japanese Non Government Organisation, and the All Nepal Football Association have collaborated in bringing the Japanese footballers in Nepal. The visiting footballers have experience of competing in top division football of Japan — J League — along with other clubs around the world.

Toda Kazuyuki, a member of the Japan national team that played the 2002 World Cup, will lead the 16-member Japanese squad. Colorbath Nepal President Ganesh Man Lama said the match would open the doors for further collaboration between Anfa and the organization in coming years.

Anfa Chief Executive Officer Indra Man Tuladhar said they were happy to host the match after a long homework. “We had been working on this plan for the last 14 months and in spite of being behind in terms of infrastructure, it will go as planned,” said the CEO fuming at the government for not making the Dashrath Stadium available for the game.

“We had originally wanted to hold the game at the Dashrath Stadium and even asked the government to allow us in maintaining it for the game. But the government only allowed us to use the ground but not the stands. So we are planning to design a portable parapet at the Anfa Complex to raise the seating capacity,” said Tuladhar.

The match will also be a fund raiser with the proceeds of the game going to people affected by the April 25 earthquake that shook the country in 2015. “We are planning to help the earthquake affected schools and assist in improving football infrastructures damaged by the earthquake,” said Colorbath Nepal President Lama.

The ticket prices have been set at Rs 1000 and Rs 1500 with the joint organisers expecting a turnout of 8,000 spectators. The Japanese team will arrive in Nepal on November 17 and return on 20.