Indian Football Team head coach, Igor Stimac, faces a formidable challenge in finalizing his squad for the upcoming AFC Asian Cup, grappling with a growing injury list. The eagerly awaited 26-member squad is slated for the announcement this Saturday, but the growing casualty list adds complexity to Stimac’s decision-making process.
The defensive lineup is particularly concerning, with Anwar Ali already sidelined due to lingering injuries along with winger Ashique Kuruniyan. Now, midfielders Jeakson Singh, Glan Martins, and Rohit Kumar have joined the list, intensifying Stimac’s woes, especially regarding the defensive midfield slot.
Sahal Abdul Samad remains a doubt for AFC Asian Cup 2023
Amid these challenges, Sahal Abdul Samad’s fitness raises more concerns. Having been absent from competitive matches for over three weeks due to a recurring ankle injury, his inclusion hinges on a delicate balance. Furthermore, the uncertainty surrounding KP Rahul’s MRI scan results adds to the coach’s dilemmas.
Stimac is leaning towards including Sahal in the final roster, despite the midfielder’s recent injury setback, potentially affecting his availability for the Asian Cup opener in 2023. Notably, Stimac considered adding Vibin Mohanan to the squad, but this option has been ruled out.
Sahal, a pivotal figure in Stimac’s successful campaigns this year, suffered an ankle injury during Mohun Bagan Super Giant’s ISL clash against Odisha FC on December 6. Since then, he hasn’t participated in any competitive matches.
Although Sahal was on the bench for the recent home clash against FC Goa, sources indicate that he sustained a re-injury to the same ankle during training. This setback forced him to miss training for three days and the subsequent clash against Kerala Blasters.
Despite these setbacks, the midfield department appears to have viable reinforcements in the form of Brandon Fernandes and Anirudh Thapa. The challenging journey for India in the Asian Cup begins with a clash against Australia on January 13, followed by encounters with Uzbekistan on January 18 and Syria on January 23 in the remaining group-stage matches.
