The new coach of Indian senior men’s National football team, Manolo Marquez, on Tuesday made a few notable changes as he announced a squad of 26 probables ahead of the team’s international friendly against Malaysia on November 18.
While some of the names have been left out from the side that played the Intercontinental Cup and the match against Vietnam in September and October, the most significant addition to the list is the return of the seasoned defender Sandesh Jhingan.
The experienced centre-back had been out of action since suffering a knee injury during India’s AFC Asian Cup campaign. Jhingan, who has been signed up by Manolo’s club team FC Goa, returns after a long lay-off to prove his fitness and give National coach more options in the central part of the team’s defence.
Manolo has also added the young Chennaiyin FC forward Irfan Yadwad in the list alongside his regular selection of attackers Manvir Singh, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Edmund Lalrindika, Liston Colaco, Farukh Choudhary and Vikram Pratap Singh.
Also included in the squad is the in-form NorthEast United FC midfielder Jithin M.S. India meets Malaysia in the FIFA international friendly at the GMC Balayogi Gachibowli Stadium in Hyderabad. The team will assemble in Hyderabad for the preparatory camp on November 11.
Goalkeepers: Amrinder Singh, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Vishal Kaith.
Defenders: Aakash Sangwan, Anwar Ali, Asish Rai, Chinglensana Singh Konsham, Hmingthanmawia Ralte, Mehtab Singh, Rahul Bheke, Roshan Singh Naorem, Sandesh Jhingan.
Midfielders: Anirudh Thapa, Brandon Fernandes, Jeakson Singh Thounaojam, Jithin MS, Lalengmawia Ralte, Liston Colaco, Suresh Singh Wangjam, Vibin Mohanan.
Forwards: Edmund Lalrindika, Irfan Yadwad, Farukh Choudhary, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Manvir Singh, Vikram Partap Singh.
