FC Goa’s ISL 2023-24 opening clash against Hyderabad FC is likely to be recheduled. The adjustment is being made to ensure the availability of Sandesh Jhingan, Chinglen Sana for Indian Football Team in the Asian Games 2023. Jhingan and Sana will join Sunil Chhetri and co in Asian Games. However, more ISL games are to be rescheduled to accommodate time for the Asian Games.
The Indian football squad is in a state of disarray and uncertainty as it prepares for the Asian Games. The competition is set to begin on September 19, with the Indian team due to arrive in Hangzhou on September 16. However, the process of finalising the team has been fraught with changes and contradictions, leaving supporters and stakeholders perplexed.
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) announced a 17-man roster earlier this week. The Sports Ministry, on the other hand, announced its own list of participants on Thursday, which differed from the AIFF’s statement. While the core of the squad remained unchanged, various adjustments were made, most notably the addition of Sandesh Jhingan and Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, whose names had been eliminated after the clubs refused to let them go.
This confusion extends beyond the fans, as Indian Super League (ISL) clubs have also been left in the dark. The alterations took FC Goa officials off surprise, with their custodian, Dheeraj Singh, initially mentioned in the roster but swapped by Gurpreet Singh Sandhu in the Sports Ministry’s version. However, it appears that talks have finally begun, with Sandesh Jhingan poised to join Sunil Chhetri and pals at Hangzou.
Indian Football Team in Asian Games: (Squad as released by Sports Ministry)
- Goalkeepers: Gurmeet Singh, Dheeraj Singh Moirangthem.
- Defenders: Sumit Rathi, Narender Gahlot, Deepak Tangri, Sandesh Jhingan, Chinglensana Singh, Lalchungnunga.
- Midfielders: Amarjit Singh Kiyam, Samuel James Lyngdoh, Rahul KP, Abdul Rabeeh, Ayush Dev Chhetri, Bryce Miranda, Azfar Noorani, Vincy Barretto.
- Forwards: Sunil Chhetri, Rahim Ali, Rohit Danu, Gurkirat Singh, Aniket Jadhav.
- Head coach: Igor Stimac.
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