'We have respect for the national team': East Bengal head coach on releasing India players for Asian Games

East Bengal head coach Carles Cuadrat has affirmed that his club has respect for the Indian national team and will be releasing players ahead of the upcoming Asian Games. With the 10th season of the Indian Super League set to get underway on September 21, the Games begin a couple of days before at Hangzhou. As the Games act as a qualifying berth for the Paris Olympics 2024, the ISL clubs have been compelled to release some of the Indian players for national duty. Asked about the issue, Cuadrat said during the ISL press meeting on Wednesday, “We have the calendar, and it’s very clear. I’ve worked with Saudi Arabia’s national team in the past, so I know clearly about how the calendar works for the clubs.” Explained | What is the ISL clubs vs AIFF tussle for Asian Games “Everything is under control. It will remain organised in the football industry across the world.” “We have respect for the national team and have sent them a list of players they can use. The clubs and federation (AIFF) must cooperate to do the best for the country.” “We have players in the U-23 and the senior team, and we support the national team. There is a list of East Bengal players who can partake in the Asian Games,” he added. Team India has been clubbed in Group A of the Games, alongside hosts China (September 19), Bangladesh (September 21) and Myanmar (September 24). The top two teams from the six groups make it to the pre-quarters, with four best-ranked third-placed sides also qualifying. The Men in Blue did not participate in the continental tournament in Indonesia 2018, while in Incheon 2014, it was ousted in the group stage. The Indians’ best outing in the competition came in Guangzhou 2010, where it made it to the pre-quarters. India men’s squad for Asian Games: Goalkeepers: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Gurmeet Singh and Dheeraj Singh Moirangthem. Defenders: Sandesh Jhingan, Anwar Ali, Narender Gahlot, Lalchungnunga, Akash Mishra, Roshan Singh and Ashish Rai. Midfielders: Jeakson Singh Thounaojam, Suresh Singh Wangjam, Apuia Ralte, Amarjit Singh Kiyam, Rahul KP and Naorem Mahesh Singh. Forwards: Siva Sakthi Narayanan, Rahim Ali, Aniket Jadhav, Vikram Partap Singh, Rohit Danu and Sunil Chhetri.