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Stephen Constantine has finally announced the 23-man squad that will feature in the much awaited AFC Asian Cup 2019. After so much discussions and headlines on player selection, it is finally time for the game on the field.
The manager trimmed the squad from 28 players to 23 - dropping Lallianzuala Chhangte, Farukh Chaudhary, Manvir Singh, Lalruatthara and Arindam Bhattachrja. The squad has gone ahead as expected, with most of Constantine's favourites retaining their positions.
The squad includes a number of players, who are not regular starters or has been going through a dull phase for their clubs. The forward line will be a worry with Jeje Lalpekhlua, Sumit Passi and Balwant Singh not being at their best for their respective clubs.
However, the team will be confident of putting up a great performance and Constantine might want to leave a mark before parting ways with the Indian team, if reports are true.
Now, a look at all the 23 players in India's AFC Asian Cup squad will be anaylsed with their strengths and weaknesses.
Goalkeepers
#1 Gurpreet Singh Sandhu
Gurpreet Singh Sandhu is India's first choice goalkeeper and is expected to remain at the seat comfortably. The 26-year old has put up impressive performances for his Indian Super League side Bengaluru FC.
Having represented India in 26 matches, Gurpreet's supremacy on long balls coming into the box will take away the set-piece tension, to a limit. However, the custodian will have to be alert to avoid silly judgement errors, like we have seen before.
#2 Amrinder Singh
Amridner Singh will remain close to the first XI and will be no surprise, if receives playing time at UAE.
The Mumbai City FC keeper has been in excellent form for his club, but will again have to wait behind Gurpreet for his chances. Amrinder has worn the Indian colours twice, both this year. The 25-year old has good reflexes and shot stopping but is troubled a bit when loose balls or defensive lapses occur.
#3 Vishal Kaith
Constantine preferred young Kaith over experienced Arindam Bhattachrja as the third keeper. Kaith will be a part of the plans for the future and might not have the field in this Asian Cup.
The 22-year old has proved his vibrant performances infront of goal time and again. But the player hailing from Himachal Pradesh has a weakness of inexperience as he hasn't made his international debut yet.
Defenders
#4 Pritam Kotal
Pritam Kotal has been Constantine's No.1 right back right from his national team debut in 2015.
The 25-year old, who recently secured a transfer from Delhi Dynamos FC to ATK in the ISL, has better performances in the national team jersey.
Pritam Kotal comes with adequate experience by playing 28 matches for India. Kotal's offensive contributions remain his best strength. However, the wing back leaves too much space open, when attacking up front.
#5 Sarthak Golui
Sarthak Golui will be a perfect replacement for Pritam Kotal's right back position. The young FC Pune City defender has made six appearances for the club this season and fared well.
Golui hasn't made any senior team starting at the national level. The 21-year old has good pace and strength for a wing back but will not be the best option for a regular starter at the Asian Cup as he lacks international exposure.
#6 Sandesh Jhingan
Sandesh Jhingan will be leading the defence for India as usual. The centre-back offering services for Kerala Blasters FC in ISL has made 12 appearances this season and remained one of their best performers despite the team's poor performance.
For India, Jhingan has played 27 matches and will continue to be one of the key players in the team. The 25-year old is known for his level of commitment on field. However, the Punjab-born is also known for his untimely tackles.
#7 Anas Edathodika
The Blasters centre-back duo will be replicated at the national team too as Anas joins Jhingan in the national team colours.
Anas Edathodika has played five club matches this season for Blasters. With 13 international caps, the Kerala defender back will be the first choice for Constantine. The 31-year old has good control of the area he defends, winning possession and clearing the balls. But, Anas' quickness and injury concerns remain a worry for the gaffer.
#8 Salam Ranjan Singh
Salam Ranjan Singh is the only player from I-League who has made it to the national squad. The centre-back will be a backup option for Jhingan and Anas. Anas was known to be regaining his fitness and if a concern occurs, Salam will be sent in. The East Bengal center back has however featured for his club just twice this season. Salam Singh has the good physique for a centre-back but will have a disadvantage of playing time with the club.
#9 Subhasish Bose
Subshasish Bose would be another strong name in the Indian defence lineup. He will have to surpass Narayan Das if Bose is to be deployed as his usual position.
With nine appearances for the national team, the 23-year old has been a promising name for the Blue Tigers. At Mumbai City FC too, the Kolkata-based player has been impressing with his defensive and offensive duties.
His strength lies in his capability to switch between positions, as a wingback and centre back. However, Bose's pace wouldn't be sufficient to mark the quick threats against India.
#10 Narayan Das
Narayan Das will be the favourite to start at the left-back position. The 25-year old has been at the position for the national team for sometime now as he has appeared in 28 matches for the same.
In ISL, he dons the colours of Delhi Dynamos FC and has played 11 matches this season. Das' experience will be an advantage to the defence while facing stronger teams in the Cup. However, the wing back too is slow and weak built on the field.
Midfielders
#11 Udanta Singh
Udanta Singh will be one silent weapon Constantine uses on the field. The Bengaluru FC winger is one name likely to start the match and has done such on 14 previous occasions. Udanta can trouble any world-class defender with his outstanding pace.
The right winger has been in good form for the club scoring three goals. However, a slight shorthand for the player will be his losing of possession easily.
#12 Rowllin Borges
Rowllin Borges will be the perfect midfielder for Constantine's plans, but has to be seen the whether the Englishman uses him ahead of Pronay Halder.
Borges has been exceptional for NorthEast United FC, contributing well in attack and defence.
The 26-year old has 22 national team caps and has an outstanding quality of being the playmaker. But, Borges is found forgetting his defensive duties, when part of an attack and vice versa.
#13 Anirudh Thapa
Anirudh Thapa is, without doubt, one who deserves a place at the heart of the midfield. Thapa is expected to combine with Borges/Halder at the centre of the park.
The Chennaiyin FC player has made 10 appearances for the national side and put up impressive performances.
The 20-year old will be most vital for India at taking set-pieces. The youngster will be troubled by the big defenders putting body in front, for he too has a weak physique for challenges.
#14 Vinit Rai
Vinit Rai might be another young player aiming to observe the Cup from bench. He might be tested on as a substitute any time in the fixtures.
Vinit Rai plays as a central midfielder, which has too many contenders. The 21-year old has played one match for the country. The Delhi Dynamos FC midfielder possesses good passing ability but will face difficulties of inexperience when fielded in the Asian Cup.
#15 Halicharan Narzary
Narzary hasn't been at the best of his form, but is a good option to deploy at the wings. Though unsure about a start, he will be seen on the pitch later on. Being a complete winger, Narzary can be an apt substitute for Udanta Singh.
The Kerala Blasters player has made 24 appearances for the Indian senior team. Narzary's ability to interchange the wings make him useful to the manager. But, the Assam lacks goal scoring abilities.
#16 Ashique Kuruniyan
Ashique will be yet another threat that can be found at the extreme wings. The FC Pune City winger has made five appearances for the national team.
Ashique is playing a key role at the club and the same would be reflected in the national colours too.
However, it would be difficult for him to find a place in the starting lineup. The Kerala-born player has an excellent first touch and ball control which very few in the country can perfect to. Concerns are about the young gun's fitness for 90 minutes.
#17 Germanpreet Singh
Constantine has added too much depth in the central midfield which is evident from Germanpreet's call-up. Though the young gun will have to wait for a long time to get a chance, he will be one for the future.
The player from Punjab has represented India in three matches so far. Germanpreet is a great exponent of the short and quick pass game. However, not being a regular at the club is a weakness for the 22-year old.
#18 Jackichand Singh
Jackichand Singh will be a strong contender for occupying a position in either flanks. With an experience of 16 matches for India, Jackichand will be a good option on any side of the park.
The midfielder, currently a part of FC Goa, has scored two goals this season and remained consistent. The 26-year old can make dangerous and impressive runs through the flanks. But, Jackichand is not the best to be at the receiving end of set pieces.
#19 Pronay Halder
The last name in the list of midfielders is Pronay Halder. The 25-year old is the best playing as a central midfielder in Constantine's plans with additional duties on the defensive part. The ATK player has made 10 appearances for the senior national team.
Halder hasn't disappointed in ISL too, doing his part well. He is good at winning possession but has a problem with his attacking skills.
Strikers
#20 Sunil Chhetri
There is no doubt on India's most key player at the AFC Asian Cup. Skipper Sunil Chhetri will be the man, the team depends on for goals. Apart from individual performances, Chhetri has contributed well to the captain's armband, leading from the front.
The 34-year old has played 103 matches for the national team and scored 65 goals. Sunil Chhetri's biggest strength is his vast experience and ability to pounce onto the ball. The alerting fact is that Chhetri is on a five-match goal drought as he hasn't scored a goal after Bengaluru FC's match against FC Goa on 22nd November.
#21 Jeje Lalpekhlua
Another familiar name upfront for India is Jeje Lalpekhlua. The Mizoram player will start if Constantine goes for two strikers in attack.
Jeje has played 51 matches for India and scored 22 goals. But the Chennaiyin FC striker is nowhere near his best and is running through one of his worst ISL seasons.
However, his ability is well known and can cause a lot of damage to the opposition. The 27-year old has a very clinical finishing but is currently out of form, not scoring a single goal this season.
#22 Sumeet Passi
The third striker included in the squad is Sumeet Passi. Passi's playing time will be decided on the performances of the second striker Constantine includes in the lineup.
Passi is not a regular attacker for his club Jamshedpur FC and hasn't impressed at the opportunities that were provided.
The 24-year old has played six matches for India and scored three goals. The young striker has good pace on the pitch. But he rarely plays 90 minutes of a game both for club and country.
#23 Balwant Singh
Balwant Singh becomes the final player in India's squad for the AFC Asian Cup 2019. The striker is sure to get playing time, at least coming on from the bench in the second half.
With Jeje out of form, it would be a good opportunity for Balwant to seal a spot in the team. However, the ATK striker hasn't met the expectations for his club this season. The 32-year old has played nine matches for India and scored three goals.
So many years of game in the Indian football circuit has given him much need experience to get past defenders. But, age is a factor not in favour of Punjab born striker.
