New Delhi: Gurjinder Singh and Adil Khan are the two new faces in the 23-member squad announced by national football coach Savio Medeira on Friday for the upcoming AFC Challenge Cup, which begins in Kathmandu, Nepal on March 9.
Defending champions India play their first match against Tajikistan on March 9.
India have been grouped with World Cuppers North Korea, the Philippines and Tajikistan.
Barring defender Gurjinder and Khan, who plays in the midfield, the composition of the team is more or less similar to the one that played in the international friendlies recently.
Sunil Chhetri will lead the attack, which also has Sushil Singh, CS Sabeeth and Joaquim Abranches. The experienced Gouramangi Singh will marshal the defence, with Syed Rahim Nabi expected to play the role of a floater. The midfield has Dempo's Anthony Pereira, East Bengal's Reisangmi Vashum and Salgaocar's Rocus Lamare, among others.
Injuries have ruled out promising defender Arnab Mondal and seasoned medio Clifford Miranda, while Medeira has dropped goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu and midfielder Lester Fernandes on the basis of their form.
Savio has not named a captain but forward Sunil Chettri has been included after missing the Bayern Munich tie in January due to an ankle injury.
The team will leave for Kathmandu on Saturday.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Karanjit Singh, Subhasish Roychowdhury, Arindam Bhattacharya.
Defenders: Nirmal Chhetri, Raju Gaikwad, Sameer Naik, Gouramangi Singh, Anwar Ali, Kinsukh Debnath, Syed Rahim Nabi, Gurjinder Singh.
Midfielders: Adil Khan, Anthony Pereira, Reisangmi Vashum, Rocus Lamare, Francis Fernandes, Jewel Raja, Lenny Rodrigues, Lalrindika Ralte.
Forwards: Sunil Chhetri, Sushil Singh, CS Sabeeth, Joaquim Abranches.
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