KUALA LUMPUR: Nepal’s two-and-a-half-year domestic league shutdown has become the central crisis overshadowing the national team’s AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers against Malaysia.

Despite the struggles, captain and goalkeeper Kiran Chemjong hopes his team would give a better showing against the hosts at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil today after losing 0-2 in the first Group F game in March.