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India captain Sunil Chhetri will be able to have just one training session with the national team before the international friendly against Yemen on November 14.
The India squad, which is expected to be announced on Tuesday, will be reaching Guwahati on November 11 and have two training sessions ahead of the match. Chhetri, however, will only be able to reach the country on the 12th as his club Sporting Lisbon ‘B’ face Naval in the Portuguese second division on the 11th.
Chhetri wrote on his twitter profile, “Can only train with the national team on the 13th and have a match the next day.. #notveryideal.”
The 28-year-old has made just two league appearances for Sporting Lisbon ‘B’ and on both occasions, he was introduced late in the game. He was an unused substitute in Sporting’s 3-1 win over Benfica ‘B’ on Sunday and the lack of gametime hasn’t helped his match fitness as he got injured in the 0-2 defeat to Singapore last month.
India’s coach Wim Koevermans was quoted saying by the Press Trust of India, “Sunil’s participation is not sure but it should not be a problem even if he joins at the last minute as he plays for a pretty big club like Sporting Lisbon. I am in touch with him.”
A source close to the AIFF revealed to Sportskeeda that the Dutchman meant that the star striker won’t be available from November 11, like the rest of the squad, because of his club commitments in Portugal and thus, will have just one session with the team on November 13th.
Eyeing a win
Koevermans is determined to beat Yemen at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in an attempt to improve India’s FIFA ranking.
“We will go for goal, victory is our primary objective. it should be a good match. Rankings improve that way and we should play more such matches and not just Nehru Cup. That will also help Indian football,” he was quoted saying.
