India names 26-member squad for big friendlies against Brazil, Uruguay and Panama

ByTech Word News

NEW DELHI: India head coach Khalid Jamil has named a 26-man squad for the upcoming FIFA international window, with the Blue Tigers gearing up for tough matches against Panama, five-time world champions Brazil and two-time world champions Uruguay.The three-match schedule will give Jamil’s side a big opportunity to test themselves against highly-rated opposition, with all three countries featuring at the FIFA World Cup earlier this year. India will first take on Panama in Bengaluru before heading to Kolkata to take on Brazil and Uruguay.The national camp will begin in Bengaluru on September 14, with India taking on Panama on September 26 at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium. The team will then travel to Kolkata on September 28 before two marquee matches.

Brazil, Uruguay await in Kolkata

India will face Brazil on October 3 at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan and three days later on October 6, they will face Uruguay at the same venue.The matches present a tough challenge for Jamil’s young team, especially against two of the most respected teams in international football. The matches will also allow the head coach to assess his team against stronger opposition ahead of India’s upcoming tasks.Jamil also named four backup players who could be drafted into the lineup if needed. Goalkeeper Hrithik Tiwari, defenders Chinglensana Singh Konsham and Roshan Singh Naorem and midfielder Suresh Singh Wangjam have been placed on standby.

Indian team for the September-October window

The twenty-six-member squad consists of four goalkeepers, eight defenders, eight midfielders and six forwards.

  • Goalkeepers: Albino Gomes, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Prabhsukhan Singh Gill, Som Kumar.
  • Defenders: Abhishek Singh Tekcham, Akash Mishra, Anwar Ali, Bijoy Varghese, Hmingthanmawia Ralte, Jay Gupta, Pramveer, Ricky Meetei Haobam.
  • Midfielders: Anirudh Thapa, Ashique Kuruniyan, Farukh Choudhary, Lalengmawia Ralte, Macarton Nickson, Mohammed Sanan, Ricky Shabong, Sahal Abdul Samad.
  • Forwards: Edmund Lalrindika, Irfan Yadwad, Manvir Singh, Rahim Ali, Ryan Williams, Vikram Partap Singh.

India Schedule:

  • September 26: India vs Panama – Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bengaluru
  • October 3: India vs Brazil – Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata
  • October 6: India vs Uruguay – Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata