Bimal Magar

Bimal Magar
Personal information
Full nameBimal Gharti Magar
Date of birth26 January 1998
Place of birthNawalparasi, Nepal
Height5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Playing positionForward
Youth career
2014–2015R.S.C. Anderlecht
2014Church Boys FC
2015–K.R.C. Genk
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
2014Lakeside FC-(2)
2015Jagadamda Lumbini FC1(0)
National team‡
2012Nepal U-14—(—)
2013–2014Nepal U-179(13)
2014–Nepal U-232(0)
2012–Nepal8(1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only.

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 31 October 2014

Bimal Gharti Magar (Nepali: विमल घर्ती मगर; born 26 January 1998)[1] is a Nepalese footballer who plays as a forward for the Nepal, Nepal U-17, and K.R.C. Genk youth team. Bimal was the product of Central ANFA Academy, which is controlled by the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) and the Nepal national football team. Bimal is also the 6th youngest male scorer and international débutante in the world, making him the youngest Nepalese player to debut (at the age of 14) and score (at the age of 15) for the Nepal national team.[2] A record previously held by Bharat Khawas, who made his goal-scoring debut at the age of 16 in 2008.[2]

Personal life

Magar was born in Nawalparasi, Panchanagar 1, Nepal[3] and is from Bhutaha village in Nawalparasi. Magar's father, Hom Bahadur was also a footballer who played locally. It was his father and his childhood mentor who inspired Magar to take up football. Bahadur's greatest wish was to see Magar play for the national team, but he died in a motorbike accident before Magar made it to the highest level.[4]

Early career

Magar was selected by the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) to join the ANFA Academy in Butwal after his performance for the Butwal Elite English School during a the Subroto Cup, held in New Delhi. The Butwal Elite English School went on to win the tournament.[5] Subsequently that year, during the AFC U-14 Football Festival Magar was then transferred to the Central ANFA Academy, where he gained further attention by senior officials at ANFA.[3] Which in turn, lead to Magar being included in the national team's squad during a friendly against Bangladesh at the age of 14.[6][7]

Club career

During November 2013, Magar was invited for a 2 week trial with the Dutch club, FC Twente[8] where he scored 4 goals with 1 assist during a friendly match against HSC 21 U-19, which ended in a 9-0 victory for FC Twente U-16.[9] However, due employment laws and FIFA regulations on youth transfers[10][11] it was not possible to sign Magar at the age of 16, despite FC Twente being 'impressed' with his performance.[12][13] It is also understood that at the time, Bimal was linked to Manchester United and Lierse SK.[14][15]

In March 2014, Magar was granted a Belgian visa to go to Europe from April to May that year and run trials for Anderlecht's U-16 squad.[16] As part of the trials, Magar also took part in three youth tournaments, AEGON Future Cup,[17][18] the Ten Brinke Bouw Tournament, and the Nuenen Tournament.[19] Both trials for FC Twente and RSC Anderlecht were carried out under the recommendation and oversight of Rene Koster, the former coach for the Bangladesh U-17 Team.[20]

On 8 June 2014 Magar penned a new 1 year deal to join Anderlecht U-19. The ANFA confirmed that Magar's contract began from July 26, 2014 to May 31, 2015 with Anderlecht bearing all expenses.[21][22][23] Bimal's first tournament with Anderlecht was the Copa del Agatha in St. Agatha, North Brabant, Netherlands. After scoring two goals, Bimal finished the tournament as a runner-up for RSC Anderlecht, losing 0–3 to Atletico Paranaense in the final.[24] Bimal was absent during the 2014 Otten Cup due to a minor injury.[25]

On 20 November 2014, Magar appeared in the 2nd Pathari Gold Cup for Church Boys FC, a youth football club in Nepal. To which, Magar scored the match winning goal in the opening match at the 23rd minute.[26] The following month, alongside other Nepal U-17 team-mates, Magar appeared in the 2014 BT Cup, a 7-a-side youth championship in Pokhara, under Lakeside FC.[27] Magar led Lakeside FC to the title victory in the final of the 2014 BT Cup, which earned him the award of Most Valued Player in the tournament.[28]

In December of 2014, agent Louis de Vries (who was responsible for arranging Magar's youth appointment at Anderlecht) confirmed that Anderlecht could no longer keep Magar due to FIFA transfer regulations and EU work permit laws on non-European foreigners in Belgium.[29] However de Vries also confirmed that Magar would join another elite Belgian club Racing Genk in January of 2015 once his visa was approved.[30][31][32][33]

On 7 January 2015, Magar participated in an international Pokhara football tournament, the Mankamana Cable Car Gold Cup under Rupandehi XI (Jagadamda Lumbini FC), a Butwal-based outfit set up by the Rupandehi District Football Association (an ANFA District FA). The first match was against Nepal Police Club, however the match ended in a penalty shootout with Nepal Police Club advancing into the second round.[34]

On January 15, Magar left for Belgium to commence his 2-month trial at KRC Genk's academy.

International career

On May 2012, Magar made his name for himself during the AFC U-14 Football Festival in 2012 for Nepal's under-14 football team, where he scored remarkable 8 goals including a hat-trick against Sri Lanka U14.[5][35] After his performance under-14 coach, Sunil Shrestha, said "Bimal is one of the brightest prospects in Nepalese football".[5]

On 20 September 2012, Magar made his international début for Nepal's senior team against Bangladesh in an international friendly at the Dasarath Rangasala Stadium. He became the youngest player ever to represent the country at the age of 14.[6][7] Nepal national team coach, Krishna Thapa, said "He is a very young boy. He played well in the first match. I can't demand more from him in the first international match".[3]

On 3 October 2012, the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) selected 16 players under coach Bal Gopal Maharjan, which included Bimal, for Kizuna Project Japan's SAARC U-14 Football Exchange Program held in Shizuoka, Japan from October 7–21.[36][37] The side managed to beat the Maldives 4–0, Japan Football Academy 3–1,[38] and registered a 4–0 victory over Pakistsan. The Nepal U-14 team maintained their winning momentum as they scored 6–0 against Sri Lanka, with Bimal scoring 4 goals including a hat-trick within 9-minutes of each other.[39] Nepal returned home as group winners after winning all 4 matches in their group.[40]

In 2013, Bimal competed at both the 2013 SAFF U-16 Championship and the 2013 SAFF Championship (national team), where he made his mark on both tournaments. In the SAFF U-16 Championship, Bimal finished the campaign as the highest scorer. Also, in the senior tournament, Bimal was the youngest player to appear and score at the SAFF Championship, having scored his first international goal against Pakistan in injury time to earn his side a 1–1 draw.[41]

Later that year, Magar was selected as the skipper of Nepal for the 2014 AFC U-16 Championship qualification. Their campaign began with a selection match against Bahrain on 25 September 2013 at Dasarath Rangasala Stadium, Kathmandu, Nepal. The Junior Gorkhalis won the match 2–0, with one assist from Magar.[42] He played the next match against Iraq and scored first goal for Nepal in a 2–2 draw.[43] In the last match he scored a hat-trick in a 4–0 win against Turkmenistan.[44] He ended the tournament with four goals as Nepal qualified for the 2014 AFC U-16 Championship in September. However, Magar accrued two yellow cards in the preliminaries, and hence was suspended for the opening match against Uzbekistan in the finals of the 2014 AFC U-16 Championship in Thailand. On top of this, Magar sustained several injuries during the South Korea friendly and Anderlecht's training sessions. Despite all this, he was still selected to start in all but 2 of Nepal's remaining games. In his first appearance in the tournament, Magar converted a penalty against Kuwait to win 2–1 in spite of enduring the ankle injury.[41] As a result, Magar was awarded Man of the Match.

In late 2014, Magar was called up by Jack Stefanowski to play for Nepal U-23 in the 2014 Asian Games. However due to the injury sustained at the 2014 AFC U-16 Championship, Magar was later ruled out of the final squad. Magar also participated in a friendly against the Philippines in Doha, Qatar.[45][46]

On 6 March 2015, Magar was selected for the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC) senior team (Nepal) 2-leg match against India.[47] After failing to score, Nepal were knocked out at the first round with a 0-2 aggregate score.

On the 18 March 2015, Magar was also called up into the U-23 Nepal squad for the qualifying stage of the 2016 AFC U-23 Championship and 2016 Summer Olympics.[48]

International goals

Scores and results list Nepal's goal tally first.[49]
# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 3 September 2013 Dasarath Rangasala Stadium, Kathmandu  Pakistan
1–1
1–1
2013 SAFF Championship

Career Statistics

Club

Goals

Under-17
Under-19
Senior

International

Appearances

As of 10 September 2013[49]
Nepal national team
YearAppsGoals
201210
201331
201420
201520
Total81

Goals

Under-17
Senior

Honours

Club

Lakeside FC

RSC Anderlecht U-19

Butwal Elite English School

National team

Nepal U-16

Individual

See also

References

  1. ↑ "FC Twente Interested In Bimal Gharti Magar". GoalNepal.com. 9 November 2013. Retrieved 2014-04-18.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Oldest and youngest". RSSSF. Retrieved 28 July 2014.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Nepal Vs Bangladesh: History Created; Bimal Gharti Magar Played Debut International Match At The Age Of 14!". Goal Nepal. Retrieved 20 September 2012.
  4. ↑ "Bimal Gharti Magar Is In Home District Nawalparasi To Make Citizenship Card & Passport". 11 June 2014. Retrieved 11 June 2014.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "AFC U-14 Youth Football Festival: Bimal Gharti Magar - One Of The Brightest Prospects In Nepalese Football". Goal Nepal. Retrieved 20 September 2012.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Nepal Head Coach Krishna Thapa: Right Substitution Changed The Pace Of The Game". Goal Nepal. Retrieved 20 September 2012.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Bimal becomes Youngest Nepali International". Givemegoal. Retrieved 25 September 2012.
  8. ↑ "Nepalees talent Magar op proef bij FC Twente". Twentefans.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 19 April 2014.
  9. ↑ "Interview With Bimal Gharti Magar & Bangladesh's Coch Rene Koster". Mojgar Nepal. 28 October 2014.
  10. ↑ "Section VI, Article 19:Protection of minors" (PDF). Regulation on the status and transfer of players: FIFA. pp. 20–21. Retrieved 2 September 2014.
  11. ↑ "Barcelona fail to heed warning signs as Fifa cracks down on youth transfers". the Guardian. Retrieved 12 June 2014.
  12. ↑ "BREAKING NEWS: FC Twente Is Impressed With BG10; Head Of Youth Academy Will Contact Rene Koster or ANFA Soon". GoalNepal.com. Retrieved 19 April 2014.
  13. ↑ "Rene Koster: Bimal Has Represented Country Very Well; Contract With FC Twente Not Possible Until He Is 18". GoalNepal.com. Retrieved 19 April 2014.
  14. ↑ "Anderlecht gaat concurrentie met Manchester United aan voor toptalent". voetbalnieuws.be (in Dutch). Retrieved 10 August 2014.
  15. ↑ "Anderlecht tevreden over prestaties Bimal". anderlechtonline.be (in Dutch). Retrieved 10 August 2014.
  16. ↑ "CONFIRMATION: BG10 Receives Belgium VISA: To Appear In A Trial For Anderlect". Goal Nepal. 27 March 2014. Retrieved 27 March 2014.
  17. ↑ "Bimal's goal against Fenerbahce"
  18. ↑ "Bimal Gharti Magar on test". anderlecht-online.be. Retrieved 19 April 2014.
  19. ↑ "BG10 Scores For RSC Anderlect Against Willem II In Nuenen Tournament; Returning Home On Saturday". GoalNepal.com. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
  20. ↑ "Bimal Magar onderweg naar Anderlecht". anderlecht-online.be (in Dutch). Retrieved 19 April 2014.
  21. ↑ Jesse Broekx (8 June 2014). "Nepalees mag zich bewijzen bij Anderlecht" (in Dutch). Retrieved 8 June 2014.
  22. ↑ Prajwal Oli (8 June 2014). "Bimal called for a year-long training by Belgium's Anderlecht". Republica. Retrieved 8 June 2014.
  23. ↑ "Breaking News:RSC Anderlecht Signs BG10 For Its Academy For A Year". Goal Nepal. 6 June 2014. Retrieved 6 June 2014.
  24. ↑ "Atletico Paranaense overtuigt en wint zesde editie Copa del Agatha". CopadelAgatha.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 13 August 2014.
  25. ↑ "Bimal Gharti Magar Is Injured But Injury Is Not Serious One". GoalNepal.com. Retrieved 2 September 2014.
  26. ↑ "2nd Pathari Gold Cup Kicks Off; Bimal Gharti Magar Scores The Match Winning Goal For Church Boys FC". GoalNepal.com. Retrieved 20 November 2014.
  27. ↑ "Pokhara: Lakeside FC Versus Gaurighat FC In The Final Of 9th BT Cup 7-A-Side Championship". GoalNepal.com. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  28. ↑ "Pokhara: Bimal Gharti Magar Adjudged The MVP In 9th BT Cup 7-A-Side Championship". GoalNepal.com. Retrieved 26 December 2014.
  29. ↑ "Jongeling van Anderlecht naar Genk?". voetbalnieuws.be (in Dutch). Retrieved 31 December 2014.
  30. ↑ "Bimal Gharti Magar to Train with Racing Genk – Anderlecht Partnership Terminates". givemegoal.com. 30 December 2014. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
  31. ↑ "Bimal to leave for Belgium on Jan. 15". ANFA. Retrieved 31 December 2014.
  32. ↑ "Bimal Gharti Magar quitte Anderlecht !". anderlecht-online.be (in French). Retrieved 31 December 2014.
  33. ↑ "OFFICIAL: RSC Anderlecht Part Ways With BG10; Nepal U17 Skipper To Leave For Belgium On January 15 To Appear In A Trial With KRC Genk FC". GoalNepal.com. 31 December 2014. Retrieved 31 December 2014.
  34. ↑ "Mankamana Cable Car Gold Cup: NPC v Ruphendi XI". GoalNepal.com. Retrieved 7 January 2015.
  35. ↑ "AFC U-14 Festival: Bimal Gharti Magar Shines As Nepal U-14 A Overpowers Sri Lanka U-14 A". GoalNepal.com. Retrieved 20 June 2014.
  36. ↑ "Program that all conducted by JICE Japan-SAARC U-14 Football Exchange Programme to support". Kizuna Project. Retrieved 23 July 2014.
  37. ↑ "Nepal U-14 National Team Is Going To Japan along With Other Seven SAARC Countries". GoalNepal.com. Retrieved 23 June 2014.
  38. ↑ "Nepal U-14 Beats Japan Football Academy In Japan-SAARC Football Exchange Program". GoalNepal.com. Retrieved 23 July 2014.
  39. ↑ "Nepal Overpowers Srilanka 6-0 In Japan SAARC U-14 Football Exchange Program". GoalNepal.com. Retrieved 23 July 2014.
  40. ↑ "Nepal National U-14 Team Arrives Kathmandu From Japan". GoalNepal.com. Retrieved 23 July 2014.
  41. ↑ 41.0 41.1 "Nepalese prodigy sets lofty ambitions". Fifa.com. Retrieved 23 September 2014.
  42. ↑ "Nepal (U-16) 2 - 0 Bahrain (U-16): Match review". Jhattainews. Retrieved 12 June 2014.
  43. ↑ "Nepal (U-16) 2 - 2 Iraq (U-16): Match review". Jhattainews. Retrieved 12 June 2014.
  44. ↑ Nepal 4-0 Turkmenistan
  45. ↑ "Friendly Nepal vs Philippines - Live Updates and Streaming Info". GiveMeGoal.com. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
  46. ↑ "Nepal vs Philippines: Live Comentary". GoalNepal.com. 31 October 2014. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
  47. ↑ "Final squad for qualifer [sic] against India announced". ANFA. Retrieved 6 March 2015.
  48. ↑ "Jack Stefanowski Announces Final Nepal U23 Squad For AFC U23 Qualifiers; Anjan Bista, Bimal Gharti Magar To Lead From Front". GoalNepal.com. Retrieved 18 March 2015.
  49. ↑ 49.0 49.1 "Bimal Gharti Magar". National-Football-Teams.com. Retrieved 2013-09-03.
  50. ↑ "RESULTS/SUB JUNIOR BOYS/PAST WINNERS". SubrotoCup.com. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
  51. ↑ "Nepal Government Decides To Honor Bimal Gharti Magar With Sukriti Award". GoalNepal.com. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
  52. ↑ "Bimal Gharti Magar Wins Pulsar NSJF Youth Player Of The Year". GoalNepal.com. Retrieved 2 June 2014.
  53. ↑ dipendra (2 June 2014). "Bimal receives NSJF Pulsar Youth Player of the Year Award". givemegoal.com. Retrieved 7 June 2014.

External links

Sporting positions
Preceded by
Hemant Thapa		 Nepal U-17 Captain
2013–present 		Incumbent