New Delhi: New India coach Manolo Marquez called up some fresh faces and excluded few notable names in his list of probables for the Intercontinental Cup camp.
The Spaniard has chosen 26 players for a preparatory camp for the tri-nation tournament the All India Football Federation will host in Hyderabad from September 3-9 in which Syria and Mauritius are the other two countries taking part.
Chennaiyin FC forward Kiyan Nassiri has earned his maiden call-up to the India set-up, having switched from Mohun Bagan in the ongoing summer transfer window.
Mohun Bagan right-back Ashish Rai and East Bengal keeper Prabhsukhan Singh Gill have also been called to the camp for the first time. Odisha FC midfielder Lalthathanga Khawlhring (Puitea) will also be a new face at the camp.
Injury kept veteran FC Goa stopper Sandesh Jhingan, new Mumbai City signing Brandon Fernandes and striker Vikram Pratap Singh away from the list.
🔵 PROBABLE SQUAD!
2️⃣6️⃣ players called up for Indian Senior Men’s Team Camp in Hyderabad ahead of the Intercontinental Cup 2024! 🇮🇳
Who will make it to the final squad?
Stay tuned as we build up to the big games! 💪🏆 #IndianFootball ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/wbXwO73HWj
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) August 21, 2024
Eyebrows were raised for the omission of striker Rahim Ali, who shifted to Odisha FC from Chennaiyin, East Bengal marksman David Lalhlansanga and Mohun Bagan custodian Vishal Kaith, with no explanation given behind their non-inclusion as India begin life after retirement of Sunil Chhetri.
Anwar Ali, after his contentious move from Mohun Bagan to East Bengal, has been picked despite the centre-back could potentially be suspended for illegally moving camps.
“We are very excited about our first preparatory camp and I know it will be the same for the players. We face two different teams and the rankings are not very important,” Marquez said in an AIFF statement.
“We need to work all together in the same direction to find the correct group of players and their predisposition will be very good, something I am completely sure about.
“I know all of us are in pre-season with nice challenges in front of us. Is a big honour to wear the jersey of the national team and we need to show it for all our fans.”
Ranked 124th, India face Syria (93) and Mauritius (179) in what would be Marquez’s first assignment for which he will conduct the camp in Hyderabad from August 31.
The probables:
Goalkeepers: Gurpreet Singh, Amrinder Singh, Prabhsukhan Singh Gill.
Defenders: Nikhil Poojary, Rahul Bheke, Chinglensana Singh Konsham, Roshan Singh Naorem, Anwar Ali, Jay Gupta, Ashish Rai, Subhasish Bose, Mehtab Singh.
Midfielders: Suresh Singh Wangjam, Jeakson Singh, Nandhakumar Sekar, Naorem Mahesh Singh, Yasir Mohammad, Lalengmawia Ralte, Anirudh Thapa, Sahal Abdul Samad, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Lalthathanga Khawlhring.
Forwards: Kiyan Nassiri Giri, Edmund Lalrindika, Manvir Singh, Liston Colaco.
Intercontinental Cup fixtures:
September 3: India vs Mauritius, September 6: Syria vs Mauritius, September 9: India vs Syria.
(All matches to begin at 7.30 pm)
Manolo Marquez picked 26 players for a preparatory camp for the Intercontinental Cup, which the All India Football Federation will host in Hyderabad from September 3-9 Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
