India on Friday named a second string 28-member squad for the SAFF Championships to be held in Dhaka from November 5 to 17, under the charge of U23 head coach Naushad Moosa.
Defending champions India are not sending the first team in view of the two international friendly matches against New Zealand on November 12 and 15 in Auckland and Christchurch respectively. the remaining 10 will join the group in the subsequent days, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) said While 18 players will travel from Kolkata to Dhaka on November 3. There is the issue of reluctance of the Indian Super League (ISL) clubs to release players in the midst of the ongoing season, as the country’s first match of the SAFF Championships — against Pakistan on November 5 — falls on a date outside the FIFA international match window (November 9-17). The Blue Tigers will begin their campaign against Pakistan on November 5 before taking on Maldives on November 11. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals, scheduled for November 14. The final will be played on November 17. India, who won the previous edition in 2023 after defeating Kuwait in the final in Bengaluru, will be aiming for a record-extending 10th SAFF Championships title.
Bibiano Fernandes, who recently coached the India U15 men’s team at the FIFA U15 World Cup and Festival in Azerbaijan, will serve as the assistant coach. We appreciate their understanding in allowing the players to represent the country. India are placed in Group B alongside Maldives and Pakistan. Hosts Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Bhutan are placed in Group A. All matches of the tournament will be played at the National Stadium in Dhaka. Goalkeepers : Arsh Anwer Shaikh, Mohanraj K, Priyansh Dubey. Defenders: Abdul Rabeeh, Bijoy Varghese, Chinglensana Singh Konsham, Hmingthanmawia Ralte, Khaiminthang Lhungdim, Muhammed Uvais, Nathan Rodrigues, Ronney Kharbudon, Sandip Mandi. Midfielders: Abhishek Suryavanshi, Adison Singh Thokchom, Brison Fernandes, Ebindas Yesudasan, Farukh Choudhary, Macarton Nickson, Manglenthang Kipgen, Nikhil Prabhu, Noufal PN, Ricky John Shabong, Suresh Singh Wangjam. Forwards: Irfan Yadwad, Liston Colaco, Muhammad Suhail, Vishnu PV, Suhail Ahmad Bhat.
AIFF Deputy Secretary General M Satyanarayan said, “We would like to thank all the clubs for their cooperation and support in releasing their players for the SAFF Championship.
