Medeira names India squad for AFC Challenge Cup

Indian national team coach Savio Medeira has named a 23-member squad for the upcoming AFC Challenge Cup 2012 in Kathmandu, Nepal. The Indian team has been drawn into a tough Group B along with DPR Korea, Tajikistan and Philippines. India will face Tajikistan in their opener on March 9, before they take on the Philippines on March 11. The final group stage match will be against strong FIFA World Cup 2010 participants DPR Korea. The Indian team is currently in Dubai for a preparatin camp and the final squad will leave for Kathmandu on Sunday afternoon.

INDIA SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Karanjit Singh (Salgaocar SC), Subhasish Roy Chowdhury (Dempo SC), Arindam Bhattacharya (Churchill Brothers SC)

Defenders: Nirmal Chettri (East Bengal Club), Raju Eknath Gaikwad (East Bengal Club), Sameer Subash Naik (Dempo SC), Gouramangi Moirangthem Singh (Churchill Brothers SC), Anwar Ali (Mohun Bagan AC), Kingshuk Debnath (Mohun Bagan AC), Syed Rahim Nabi (Mohun Bagan AC), Gurjinder Kumar Singh (Pune FC)

Midfielders: Adil Ahmed Khan (Sporting Clube de Goa), Anthony Pereira (Dempo SC), Reisangmi Vashum (East Bengal Club), Rocus Lamare (Salgaocar SC), Francis Fernandes (Salgaocar SC), Jewel Raja Sheikh (Mohun Bagan AC), Lenny Rodrigues (Churchill Brothers SC), Lalrindika Ralte (Churchill Brothers SC)

Forwards: Sunil Chhetri (Mohun Bagan AC), Sushil Kumar Singh (Shillong Lajong FC), C.S. Sabeeth (Pailan Arrows), Joaquim Abranches (Dempo SC)

Officials: Savio Medeira (Chief Coach), Mariano Dias (Assistant Coach), Marcus Pacheco (Goalkeeping Coach), Pradip Datta (Physical Trainer), Sandeep Kumar (Doctor), Gigy George (Physio), Liaqat Ali (Masseur), Mandar Tamhane (Manager)