The Indian football team squad for Asian Games 2023 (men’s), which begins later this month, will see significant changes. Several new players are poised to replace those who were originally chosen to lead the country’s campaign at the Hangzhou Games. In a dramatic development, Igor Stimac is likely to sit out of the tournament and is slated to be replaced by Clifford Miranda.
A virtual emergency meeting of the AIFF’s executive committee (EC) decided on the under-23 team’s participation in the Asiad. This follows the rejection of Indian Super League (ISL) clubs to release players for national duty
The Asian Games are outside of FIFA’s international match window, and the footballers are legally required to play for ISL clubs. AIFF and Igor Stimac finalised India’s foreign commitments for the year. However, the Asian games were not part of their initial intentions.
The AIFF has selected a 22-man men’s squad for the Games. It is primarily an under-23 competition with the option of fielding three older players. It can already be confirmed that three senior players will not travel to Hangzhou since their teams refused to release them. Sunil Chhetri, the Indian Football Team captain, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu and Sandesh Jhingan were set to travel. Clubs have already reported the decision to the AIFF, which has informed the Sports Authority of India (SAI).
India will field an under-23 team with no senior players. The team’s composition will be altered so that a roster of 22 players may be fielded. On September 19, India will launch its battle against China. The issue of dropping out of the men’s squad for the Asiad was addressed extensively during the EC meeting. However, after discussions with the sports ministry and SAI officials, it was determined that the country’s representation in football would be maintained to avoid embarrassment.
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AIFF will now conduct new talks with ISL clubs, requesting that each team release two players. It would, however, be easier said than done. Such players will need to apply for new accreditations with the Games’ organisers, the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA). The team will depart for Hangzhou on September 16. The AIFF, SAI, and Indian Olympic Association (IOA) have only five days to get their accreditations and complete additional documentation.
It was also decided that Clifford Miranda would accompany the team to Hangzhou. Miranda is the head coach for the U23 team, which is presently competing in the AFC Asian Cup U23 qualifiers in China. Stimac would only be considered for a trip to Hangzhou if he accepts players released by ISL clubs, most of whom are second-tier.
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