In a groundbreaking announcement, Sunil Chhetri takes the spotlight as the linchpin of Igor Stimac’s 18-player Indian squad bound for the highly-anticipated Hangzhou Asian Games. With the All India Football Federation (AIFF) meticulously crafting a formidable secondary team, speculation looms over Coach Stimac’s potential role in the campaign.
A scheduling clash between the Asian Games and the Indian Super League (ISL) has caused a reluctance among clubs to release the 22 selected players.
This development marks a significant hurdle for AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey, who tirelessly advocated for the team’s participation, even in the face of government criteria not being fully met.
Following extensive negotiations, AIFF unveils a squad featuring nine players from the original 22, including Chhetri, complemented by emerging talent from various clubs.
Uncertainties persist regarding Stimac’s position as the leader of this determined yet relatively unseasoned team, despite his previous emphasis on the Asian Games’ significance.
Initially projected as a 17-man squad, the roster later incorporates Mohun Bagan’s Deepak Tangri. This decision marks a rare instance of India fielding a slightly understrength football team in a major competition, with Chhetri’s inclusion standing out as a beacon of hope, especially in light of his recent milestone of becoming a father.
However, two other senior players, FC Goa’s defender Sandesh Jhingan and Bengaluru FC’s goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, were not released by their respective clubs.
Azfar Noorani of Mumbai Kenkre FC, having participated in the 2022-23 I-League but subsequently relegated, also secures a spot on the team. The national federation, able to solidify the team just three days prior to their departure for China, extends their gratitude to the Indian Super League clubs and the FSDL for their collaboration in player releases.
India’s Asian Games campaign is set to commence with a thrilling match against China on September 19, followed by encounters against Bangladesh (September 21) and Myanmar (September 24).
While the initial qualification criteria for the football team may have been unmet, the squad gained approval from the sports ministry based on the commitment to field the strongest lineup, featuring Chhetri, Jhingan, and top goalkeeper Gurpreet.
Yet, ISL clubs had other plans, opting not to release their players to avoid missing crucial league matches. This decision, although within their rights, left AIFF in a quandary. There was even hope that ISL clubs would consider releasing any 22 players from their registered pool of 50 for the Asian Games, allowing the senior men’s team to partake in this continental showcase.
The slightly reduced squad features only two goalkeepers, as opposed to the customary three in a 22-member lineup, potentially posing challenges in the event of injuries during the tournament.
Furthermore, the team will need to carefully select 10 outfield players from a pool of 16, and additional injuries could lead to limitations in substitutions, requiring players to remain on the field for extended durations.
While Bengaluru FC initially held onto six players from the original 22, they opted not to release Gurpreet. However, they did grant permission for Chhetri and Rohit Danu to join the national team. In Gurpreet’s absence, the Indian goal will be protected by either Gurmeet Singh or Dheeraj Singh Moirangthem.
FC Goa also retained Jhingan, while East Bengal, originally with two players in the squad, did not secure representation in the final team. Mohun Bagan contributed two players in Sumit Rathi and Tangri, with Gurkirat Singh standing as the lone representative from Mumbai City FC.
A significant portion of the final team players have had limited playtime for their respective ISL clubs and have not been regular starters. Nevertheless, their selection brings an element of surprise and potential game-changing performances to the field.
