Exclusive | Aashish Chaudhary: A tractor helper scores his first goal for Nepal in SAFF Championship

Nepal just registered their first win of the tournament against Pakistan in their last game of the SAFF Championship 2023. 18-year-old Aashish Chaudhary was the hero for the Nepal team. A tractor helper who did not know what will be his future few months ago is now the hero of his country.

Aashish used to work as a tractor helper in the Morang district in Koshi Province in eastern Nepal. He left the job to fulfil his dream of being a footballer. Although, everything was not that easy for a son whose father works as a labour in Saudi Arabia. But, just like dribbling past the defenders, Aashish Chaudhary is dribbling past all the difficulties to make the whole of Nepal proud.

Chaudhary is a proud member of the Church Boys United club in Nepal who are the Martyr's Memorial A-Division League champions as well. While playing for the club, the young player caught the attention of the Naplese coach, Vincenzo Alberto Annese.

Aashish can play as a winger, a left back and an out-and-out striker. For his all-around abilities, he was brought into the squad for the SAFF Championship and he impressed everyone with the limited opportunities he got during the tournament at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium. In the 80th minute of the match against Pakistan, Aashish volleyed his first international goal for Nepal, assisted by Laken Limbu.

"I want to thank the coach for trusting me. I feel proud for scoring my debut goal for Nepal," Aashish told Sportz Point after the game, with a big smile on his face.

"Everyone back in the home will be very happy. They will celebrate my goal and Nepal's win," Aashish added.

Aashish is playing football since he started playing football at the age of 7 and now wants to make his stay permanent in the Nepal team. Vincenzo Alberto Annese, the Napelese coach is also very happy to see this young player get the glory for Nepal.

"He has got a great future ahead. He is just 18 years old and we are very happy for him. We would love him to keep doing well for Nepal," Vincenzo told the post-match press conference. Moreover, Vincenzo would love to see some of his players get exposure here in India with I-league and ISL.

Even after scoring the match-winning goal for Nepal, Aashish does not know what his future will be when he returns to Nepal. But, the only thing he knows is that he will play football.

"There will be no football for one month. There will be a break. I do not know what I will do. But, I will play in local tournaments after that," Aashish told Sportz Point.

The local tournaments are the main source of income for all the Nepalese footballers back in home. They generally get paid 5000 Nepalese Rupee for every game they play, which is good enough to help their families. So, even after scoring the biggest goal of his life, Aashish will have to play more local tournaments to dribble past the difficulties of life.