 "Sunil Chhetri is part of India’s 23-member squad for football matches against Singapore. Image: AIFF")
Indian senior men’s national team head coach Khalid Jamil Sunday announced the 23-member squad for the away match against Singapore in the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Qualifiers Final Round Group C.
Singapore will host India at the National Stadium, Singapore, on October 9; the match will kick off at 5 PM IST.
The Blue Tigers have been training in Bengaluru since September 20 as part of their preparations for the double-header against Singapore, with the home leg slated to be held on October 14, at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, in Goa; the match will kick off at 7.30 IST. The team will depart for Singapore on the morning of Monday, October 6, and will land at their destination in the evening.
India are currently bottom of Group C with one point from two matches, while Singapore stand at the top of the group, having acquired four points from as many games. The team that finishes at the top of the group will qualify for the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027.
Chhetri back as India get ready to face Singapore
Jamil, on the eve of the team’s departure, highlighted the importance of taking the remaining qualifiers one game at a time.
“We are not looking at the overall picture at the moment. There are still four matches to go, and the next one against Singapore is the most important for us right now,” he said. “We cannot look too far ahead – we must go one step at a time.”
While the Blue Tigers are travelling for the away game against Singapore with a 23-member squad, Jamil has kept two players – goalkeeper Hrithik Tiwari and forward Muhammed Suhail – in reserve for the home game on October 14.
“Though we are travelling with 23 players, we are constantly monitoring the rest. For now, Hrithik and Suhail have been kept on standby for the two matches against Singapore,” said Jamil.
Jamil has also handed a return to star striker Sunil Chhetri. The 41-year-old was rested during the CAFA Nations Cup, where India won the bronze medal.
India’s 23-member travelling squad to Singapore
Goalkeepers: Amrinder Singh, Gurmeet Singh, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu.
Defenders: Anwar Ali, Hmingthanmawia Ralte, Muhammed Uvais, Pramveer, Rahul Bheke, Sandesh Jhingan.
Midfielders: Brandon Fernandes, Danish Farooq Bhat, Deepak Tangri, Macarton Louis Nickson, Mahesh Singh Naorem, Nikhil Prabhu, Sahal Abdul Samad, Udanta Singh Kumam.
Forwards: Farukh Choudhary, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Liston Colaco, Rahim Ali, Sunil Chhetri, Vikram Partap Singh.