Asian Games: India reportedly without Sunil Chhetri, Sandesh Jhingan and Gurpreet Singh Sandhu

The Indian men’s football team for the upcoming Asian Games could undergo significant changes, as a new set of players might replace those originally selected to represent India in the tournament in Hangzhou. According to a recent report in The Times of India, the executive committee of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) discussed the participation of the under-23 team in the Asian Games. This discussion arose because Indian Super League (ISL) clubs are unwilling to release players for national duty. Since the Asian Games fall outside FIFA’s international match window, players are obliged to play for their ISL clubs, with the season beginning on 21 September. Furthermore, when India’s international schedule was planned, the Asian Games were not included, as they were initially scheduled for September last year but were postponed due to COVID-19. In light of these recent developments, the AIFF has finalised a 22-member men’s squad for the Games, primarily consisting of under-23 players. However, there is an option to include a maximum of three senior players in the competition. Unfortunately, the three senior players - Sunil Chhetri, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, and Sandesh Jhingan - will not be traveling to Hangzhou as their ISL clubs have refused to release them. Consequently, India will field an under-23 team without senior players, and the squad’s composition will see significant changes. India’s campaign will commence against China on 19 September. The possibility of withdrawing the men’s squad from the Asian Games was considered, but discussions with the sports ministry and the Sports Authority of India led to the decision to participate to ensure India’s representation in football. However, the AIFF will now make another attempt to persuade ISL clubs to release two players from each team for the Asian Games without disrupting their ongoing campaigns. Currently, the team is participating in the AFC Asian Cup under-23 qualifiers in China, with Clifford Miranda as part of the coaching staff. Igor Stimac, the head coach of the national football team, will only become involved if he accepts the players released by ISL clubs.