India names 22-member squad for AFC Challenge Cup

Defending champions India will field the under-23 squad that won the SAFF Cup for the AFC Challenge Cup starting on February 17 in Colombo.

Defending champions India will field the under-23 squad that won the SAFF Cup for the AFC Challenge Cup starting on February 17 in Colombo.

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Barring goalkeeper Arindam Bhattacharya and defender Mohanraj, as the duo is with the senior team in Dubai, coach Sukhwinder Singh hasn't made any changes to the winning combination.

The squad was named after conclusion of the preparatory camp in Pune, on Friday. India will leave for Colombo, Sunday, and will take on Kyrgyzstan in their opener on February 17.

India are clubbed with North Korea, Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan in Group B. India will take on Turkmenistan, February 19, in their second group B league match, while they will face North Korea in their third and last group league match, Feb 21.

The squad:

Goalkeepers: Karanjit Singh (JCT), Laxmikant Kattimani (Dempo), Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (East Bengal)

Defenders: Nirmal Chetri (East Bengal), Ravinder Singh (Air India), Dharmaraj Ravanan (Mahindra United), Denzil Franco (Mahindra United), Debabrata Roy (Mahindra United), Rowilson Rodrigues (Churchill Brothers), Thokchom Naoba Singh (Churchill Brothers), Robert Lalthlamuana (Churchill Brothers)

Strikers: Sushil Kumar Singh (Mahindra United), Subhash Singh (East Bengal) Jeje Lalpekhlua (Pune F.C), Jagtar Singh (Tata Football Academy)

Officials: Sukhvinder Singh (Coach), Syed Sabir Pasha (Assistant Coach), Chandru Jayaraman (Physiotherapist), Dr. Kiran Kulkarni (Doctor), Hardev Jadeja (Head of Delegation), V. M. Prithi Kumar (Masseur), Col.B M R Mehta (Media Officer), Mandar Tamhane (Manager).