Sunil Chhetri named in India probables list for AFC Asian Cup qualifiers in June-OxBig News Network

Indian coach Manolo Marquez has continued to put his faith in legendary striker Sunil Chhetri as the 40-year-old was named in the 28-member probables squad for the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Final round qualifiers. Chhetri, who enjoyed a prolific campaign in the Indian Super League, was forced to come out of retirement to help the struggling national team against Bangladesh in the Asian Cup qualifiers and also played a friendly against the Maldives.

Chhetri had initially hung up his boots last year after more than two decades. India are in Group C of the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Final Round qualifiers along with Bangladesh, Hong Kong China, and Singapore. India will be facing Hong Kong next on June 10 at the Kai Tak Sports Park, in Kowloon City. The first two matches in the group ended in stalemates, meaning that all four teams sit at one point each.

The All India Football Federation released a statement on Wednesday, May 7 saying that the probables squad members will assemble in Kolkata on May 18 and will have a 10-day training camp in the city before heading to Bangkok to play Thailand on June 4.

“The probables will assemble in Kolkata on May 18, to train for the FIFA International window in June,” said an All India Football Federation (AIFF) statement on Wednesday.

“As part of their preparations for the Asian Cup qualifier against Hong Kong, the Blue Tigers will have a 10-day training camp in Kolkata before they fly off to Bangkok to play a FIFA International Friendly against Thailand on June 4. The team will subsequently travel to Hong Kong for their Asian Cup qualifier,” the AIFF statement said.

India probables list for AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifier

Goalkeepers: Hrithik Tiwari, Vishal Kaith, Gurmeet Singh Chahal, Amrinder Singh.

Defenders: Naorem Roshan Singh, Rahul Bheke, Konsham Chinglensana Singh, Anwar Ali, Thangjam Boris Singh, Sandesh Jhingan, Asish Rai, Subhasish Bose, Mehtab Singh, Tekcham Abhishek Singh, Nikhil Prabhu.

Midfielders: Suresh Singh Wangjam, Naorem Mahesh Singh, Ayush Dev Chhetri, Udanta Singh Kumam, Lalengmawia Ralte, Liston Colaco, Ashique Kuruniyan, Brandon Fernandes.

Forwards: Sunil Chhetri, Irfan Yadwad, Manvir Singh, Suhail Ahmad Bhat, Lallianzuala Chhangte.