In the possible squad for the international friendlies, the national coach, Igor Stimac, has announced the inclusion of six players from Goa. Key defenders like Mandar Rao Desai and Ceritan Fernandes will rejoin the squad after missing out on the FIFA World Cup and Asia Cup qualifiers in June because of the Covid-19 interruption. Adil Khan, Glenn Martins, Brandon Fernandes and Liston Culaso are the other Goans on the team.
The Indian camp for the international friendlies will be held in Kolkata. The team will reach Kolkata on August 15 and will begin training on August 16, according to the All India Football Federation. The federation also confirmed the camp will focus on improving the team for the International Friendlies in September.
No players from ATK Mohan Bagan and Bengaluru F.C. are included in the camp as the clubs will take part in the AFC Cup in the Maldives. After the AFC Cup, 13 players will join the national tournament.
The national coach, Igor Stimac, said, “I am very happy to meet my players once again. Together we will focus on preparing for the upcoming challenge”
Potential 23 member team
Goalkeepers: Dheeraj Singh, Vishal Kaith, Defenders: Ashish Rai, Ceritan Fernandes, Adil Khan, Chinglensana Singh, Narendra Gehlot, Rahul Bheke, Akash Mishra, Mandar Rao Desai, Midfielders: Lalengmavia, Glan Martins, Jackson Fernandes, Aniruddha, Sahal Abdul Samad, Halicharan Narzari, Bipin Singh, Mohammad Yasir, Leading: Rahul KP, Farooq Chaudhary, Ishan Pandita, Rahim Ali. Players entering after AFC Cup: Goalkeepers: Amarinder Singh, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Defenders: Pritam Kotal, Ashutosh Mehta, Sandesh Jhingan, Subhashish Bose, Midfielders: Udanta Singh, Pranoy Haldar, Suresh Wangjam, Aashiq Kurunian, Leading: Sunil Chhetri
Indian Football returns to the City of Joy
After a 15 year hiatus, India’s senior team will set their camp in Kolkata. Before this, the Indian team had set up their camp in Kolkata in 2006, while preparing for the World Cup qualifiers against Saudi Arabia. The camp will take place in a bio-bubble where players and staff will be tested regularly amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic