India’s senior men’s football team is gearing up for a crucial international friendly against Vietnam on October 12, and head coach Manolo Marquez has unveiled the 23-member squad that will be aiming for victory.
The match against Vietnam comes after Lebanon withdrew from the tri-nation friendly tournament, leaving India with a single opponent. Originally scheduled to play Vietnam on October 9 and Lebanon on October 12, the Indian team will now face Vietnam in a one-off encounter.
While experienced midfielders Anirudh Thapa and Sahal Abdul Samad, along with East Bengal FC’s Nandhakumar Sekar, have not been included in the squad, Marquez has chosen a mix of seasoned players and rising stars.
“There are still some players who are performing well but they are not here. We’re still in the beginning of the season. I don’t want to talk much about the ones who are not here. If you speak with 20 people, all of them will give you a different list. We called these players because we think they are the best to play against Vietnam,” Marquez stated in a press release issued by the All India Football Federation (AIFF).
The squad boasts a couple of fresh faces, with left-back Aakash Sangwan and 21-year-old midfielder Lalrinliana Hnamte earning their first national team call-ups. These young talents will be looking to impress on the international stage and contribute to the team’s success.
Farukh Choudhary, a forward who last featured for the Blue Tigers in 2018, has made a welcome return to the squad after three years. Choudhary has represented India 14 times, scoring once against Nepal in a friendly in 2021, and was also part of the team that won the SAFF Championship in Maldives that same year.
With a blend of experience and youthful exuberance, India’s 23-member squad is ready to take on the challenge presented by Vietnam. The match promises to be an exciting encounter, with the Indian team aiming to demonstrate their progress and solidify their position on the international stage.
