AFC Asian Cup 2023: India name strong team for Qatar blockbuster - full squad
Big names like Sunil Chhetri, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu and Sandesh Jhingan are all part of the 26-member Indian men’s football team for the continental tournament.
Football
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) on Saturday announced a 26-member Indian men’s football team for the AFC Asian Cup 2023.
The upcoming edition of the quadrennial continental meet will be held in Qatar from January 12 to February 10, 2024.
Indian football team head coach Igor Stimac has picked a strong squad for the tournament, which is regarded as the premium men’s football competition in Asia.
The Indian football squad includes ace striker Sunil Chhetri, goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu and defender Sandesh Jhingan. From the list of 50 probables Stimac had named earlier this month, midfielder Jeakson Singh, who is nursing a shoulder injury, was one notable exclusion.
However, Anirudh Thapa, Brandon Fernandes and Sahal Abdul Samad, all of whom were doubtful because of injury, have made the final squad for Qatar.
India have been drawn in Group B with Australia, Uzbekistan and Syria for the AFC Asian Cup 2023. Chhetri and Co. will open their campaign against Australia on January 13 at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan before facing Uzbekistan on January 18 at the same venue.
The Indian men’s football team will then move to the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor to take on Syria on January 23 for their final group game.
The AFC Asian Cup 2023 will mark India’s fifth appearance at the continental tournament after 1964, 1984, 2011 and 2019. Barring a runner-up finish in 1964, India have failed to progress beyond the group stages.
AFC Asian Cup 2023 Indian men’s football team - full squad
Goalkeepers: Amrinder Singh, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Vishal Kaith
Defenders: Akash Mishra, Lalchungnunga, Mehtab Singh, Nikhil Poojary, Pritam Kotal, Rahul Bheke, Sandesh Jhingan, Subhasish Bose
Midfielders: Anirudh Thapa, Brandon Fernandes, Deepak Tangri, Lalengmawia Ralte, Liston Colaco, Naorem Mahesh Singh, Sahal Abdul Samad, Suresh Singh Wangjam, Udanta Singh
Forwards: Ishan Pandita, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Manvir Singh, Rahul Kannoly Praveen, Sunil Chhetri, Vikram Partap Singh