Igor Stimac names 22-member squad for 19th Asian Games Men’s Football Competition
India Senior Men’s Football team Head Coach Igor Stimac on 1st August announced the 22 members that will be playing for the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, to be held from September 19 to October 7, 2023.
The two-time Asian Games champions India are participating in the football event of the continental games for the first time after nine years.
The team is set to play the hosts China PR, Bangladesh and Myanmar in Group A.
Recently, The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) declined clearance for the Asian Games, citing the teamsโ low Asian rankings. This decision threatened to sideline both the menโs and womenโs football teams from participating in the prestigious event.
Keeping in mind their latest performances in the recent tournaments, the Ministry decided to grant the relaxation.
The Indian team will now play in the Asian Games for the first time since 2014 after they got ruled out of the 2018 Games in Jakarta.
The 22 members travelling to Hangzhou
Despite the rumours that the players from the senior will be excluded from the list. Today we have finally seen that they have included our three key players of the team, our captain Sunil Chhetri, the Indian stopper Sandesh Jhingan and our Indian keeper Gurpreet Singh.
With three experienced players in the team, it will help to boost the team’s morale and confidence for the U-23 Team to play well in the upcoming Asian games.
Goalkeepers:
- Gurpreet Singh Sandhu
- Gurmeet Singh
- Dheeraj Singh Moirangthem
Defenders:
- Sandesh Jhingan
- Anwar Ali
- Narender Gahlot
- Lalchungnunga
- Akash Mishra
- Roshan Singh
- Ashish Rai
Midfielders:
- Jeakson Singh Thounaojam
- Suresh Singh Wangjam
- Apuia Ralte
- Amarjit Singh Kiyam
- Rahul KP
- Naorem Mahesh Singh
Forwards:
- Siva Sakthi Narayanan
- Rahim Ali
- Aniket Jadhav
- Vikram Partap Singh
- Rohit Danu
- Sunil Chhetri
The National Senior team’s Head coach Igor Stimac will manage the Under-23 side for this prestigious event after the King’s Cup in Thailand (September 7-10).
I don’t understand why they left Lianzuala Chhangte again. Maybe they were afraid he’ll stole the show again.
The tournament is an U-23 in the Asian Games and only three players above 23 can be selected.