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Kathmandu, Machhindra FC has intensified its AFC Cup Preliminary Qualifiers preparation. At Dashrath Stadium on August 8, Machhindra, the first division league's runners-up, will take on Paro FC, the league winners of Bhutan.

The club, which has won the league twice, held a news conference on Monday to announce that Kishor KC, the team's coach, has begun the preparations.

According to President Sunil Kapali, Machhindra trains at the same facility as league champions Church Boys United and ANFA Complex.

23 players have been invited by coach KC to the practice. The club has confidence in KC for the AFC Cup even if his contract with the White Lions had already ended following the Martyr's Memorial A Division League.

During the press conference, the club also entered into agreements with Kantipur TV for the broadcasting rights and Mount Everest Sports for the ticketing rights.

The club has also signed eight fresh players on loan from other elite teams.

The new players are under contract till Machhindra leaves the AFC Cup qualifying competition, according to general secretary Anil Shrestha.

Aashish Chaudhary, a winger for league winner Church Boys United, and Arik Bista, a midfielder, have been added by Machhindra. The squad also includes midfielder Laken Limbu, winger Ayush Ghalan, and defender Sanish Shrestha, all of whom play for the national team.

Messouke Oloumou, Rejin Subba, and Rohit Subba were also added to the team by Machhindra. The 15 players from before had continued to play for the club. Bishal Shrestha, the team's captain and goalkeeper, will start, with Pradip Bhandari serving as his backup.

Forward Other forwards on the team include Bimal Gharti Magar, Afeez Olawale, Saurav Limbu, Abhishek Gurung, and Bijay Bhujel. The defense of Machhindra will be handled by Omolaja Kareem, Devendra Tamang, Diwakar Chaudhary, Tshiring Gurung, and Suraj BK.

Machhindra will face Mohan Bagan on August 16 if it prevails in its first playoff game against Bhutan's league champion.

After Nepal's league winner Church Boys United was found to not possess the AFC Club Licence, Machhindra was given the chance to participate in the AFC Cup. Machhindra will participate in the AFC Cup Qualifier for the second time. After falling to Sri Lanka's Blue Star 2-0, the White Lions failed to advance to the second round.