The Indian men’s national football team has returned to Kolkata after 15 years. The national team had their last training in Kolkata in 2006 before the FIFA World Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabia. After that fixture, this is the first time they will be training in the city of joy. The camp is set to start on August 15.
Igor Stimac has named 23 probables in the squad for the upcoming international friendlies. However, the Croatian has had to leave out players from ATK Mohun Bagan and Bengaluru FC, as both these clubs will be busy in their preparations for the AFC Cup in the Maldives.
Players from the two teams will be immediately joining the National team as soon as they finish club commitments. All the players in Kolkata are being placed in a strict environment adhering to Covid 19 regulations and protocols. Every player and staff member is in a secure bio bubble.
“I am very happy to meet with my players again and get ready for the upcoming challenges forward together,” Stimac said.
“We wish both the Indian clubs good luck and hope they do well in the AFC Cup. Meanwhile, we need to check on the rest of the players who will kick-off the camp with us next week, and choose the best ones until the rest of the players join us,” added the Croatian coach.
Here’s full squad for the international friendlies –
GOALKEEPERS: Dheeraj Singh Moirangthem, Vishal Kaith.
DEFENDERS: Ashish Rai, Seriton Fernandes, Adil Khan, Chinglensana Singh, Narender, Rahul Bheke, Akash Mishra, Mandar Rao Dessai.
MIDFIELDERS: Lalengmawia, Glan Martins, Jeakson Singh, Anirudh Thapa, Brandon Fernandes, Sahal Abdul Samad, Halicharan Narzary, Bipin Singh, Yasir Mohammed.
FORWARDS: Rahul KP, Farukh Choudhary, Ishan Pandita, Rahim Ali.