Shillong, Mar 6: India senior men’s national team coach Manolo Márquez today announced a 26-member squad for the March FIFA international window, which will see the Blue Tigers play two matches in Shillong.
The legend that is Sunil Chhetri had announced his retirement from the national team in June last year but is now set to make a return in the national colours.
India will play a friendly match against Maldives on 19th March in preparation for the opening match of the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 qualifiers final round against Bangladesh on 25th March. Both matches will be played at the JN Stadium here.
“The qualification for the Asian Cup is very crucial for us. Given the importance of the tournament and the matches ahead, I discussed with Sunil Chhetri about making a comeback to strengthen the national team. He agreed, and so we have included him in the squad,” Marquez was quoted as saying by the All India Football Federation today.
Unfortunately for Meghalaya fans, no one from the state has made the cut, though there are several who have played for Shillong Lajong FC in the past, like Vishal Kaith, Chinglensana Singh and Naorem Mahesh Singh.
India squad:
Goalkeepers: Amrinder Singh, Gurmeet Singh, Vishal Kaith
Defenders: Asish Rai, Boris Singh Thangjam, Chinglensana Singh Konsham, Hmingthanmawia, Mehtab Singh, Rahul Bheke, Roshan Singh Naorem, Sandesh Jhingan, Subhasish Bose
Midfielders: Ashique Kuruniyan, Ayush Dev Chhetri, Brandon Fernandes, Brison Fernandes, Jeakson Singh Thounaojam, Lalengmawia, Liston Colaco, Mahesh Singh Naorem, Suresh Singh Wangjam
Forwards: Sunil Chhetri, Farukh Choudhary, Irfan Yadwad, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Manvir Singh
(Photo: All India Football Federation/Facebook)
