Santosh Sahukhala

Santosh Sahukhala (Nepali: सन्तोष साहुखल; born 10 January 1988) is a Nepali international football forward.

Santosh Shahukhala

Santosh Sahukhala in his own shop in KL Tower
Personal information
Full name	Santosh Shahukhala
Date of birth	(1988-01-10) 10 January 1988 (age 37)[1]
Place of birth	Kathmandu, Nepal
Height	1.69 m (5 ft 6+1⁄2 in)
Position(s)	Striker
Team information
Current team	Three Star Club
Youth career
1997–2003	Madhyapur Youth Association
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2003–2007	Three Star Club
	APF Club
2007–2010	Abahani Chittagong
2010–2011	Three Star Club	22	(17)
2011–2012	Manang Marshyangdi Club	17	(16)
2012	Three Star Club	11	(8)
2018	Chyasal Youth Club	5	(3)
2023	Three Star Club	1	(1)
International career
2007–	Nepal	35	(3)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Early life

As a child he played at the Madhyapur Football Club. His elder brother Bal Gopal Sahukhala is also a professional footballer. He started playing football as an eight-year old and represented his school in several school-level tournaments. He had started out as a defender before his coach at Madhyapur football club changed his position to striker.

Club career

Three Star Club

In 2003, he signed for Three Star Club, spending four years there.

Manang Marsyangdi Club

He signed for Manang Marsyangdi Club, becoming the highest-paid Nepali footballer at the time of his signing.^[2]

Trials in Indonesia

In 2011, Sahukhala went on trial for Sriwijaya FC, in Indonesia.^[3]

Trials in Japan

In 2014, Sahukhala went on trial for Gainare Tottori, in the Japanese third division.^[4]

Chyasal Youth Club

He returned to Nepal in the 2018–19 Martyr's Memorial A-Division League and joined A Division club Chyasal Youth Club. He played 5 matches of Martyr's Memorial A-Division League, scoring three goals. After Round 10 of the League he returned to Japan. He was given 2 yellow cards and one red card in the league. He won the "league man of the match" award in the game against the Himalayan Sherpa Club.^[5]

International career

Disciplinary action

Coach Graham Roberts dropped him from the national team for the qualifiers against Timor Leste on disciplinary grounds. He was not present for practice despite calls, and had previously "violated the team norms" during the AFC Challenge Cup.^[6]

Reconciliation in national team

Santosh was picked for the next round of qualifications against Jordan and provided an assist for the home leg equalizer.

Style of play

He is the main striker for Nepal's national team.^{[citation needed]}

Career statistics

Club

Club	Season	League			Cup			Cup (Fifa Recognized)			Total
		Apps	Goals	Assists	Apps	Goals	Assists	Apps	Goals	Assists	Apps	Goals	Assists
Three Star Club		?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?
APF Club		?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?
Three Star Club	2067 B.S.(2010–11)	22	17	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?
Manang Marshyangdi Club	2068 B.S.(2011–12)	17	16	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?
Chyasal youth club	2075 B.S. (2018)	5	4	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?
Career Total		?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?

International

National team	Season	Apps	Goals	Assists
Nepal
	2067 B.S.(2010–11)	?	?	?
	2068 B.S.(2011–12)	?	?	?
Total		?	2	?

International goals

#	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1.	04 August 2008	G. M. C. Balayogi Athletic Stadium, Hyderabad, India	Sri Lanka	1–0	3-0	2008 AFC Challenge Cup
2.	18 March 2011	Pokhara Rangasala, Pokhara, Nepal	Bhutan	1–0,	1–0	Friendly[7]
3.	2 March 2013	Dasarath Rangasala Stadium, Kathmandu, Nepal	Northern Mariana Islands	2–0,	6–0	2014 AFC Challenge Cup qualification