Following a long tussle between FSDL and AIFF about the release of players for the Asian Games played in 2023 due to the competition not falling under the FIFA window, an agreement was finally reached between the parties. Several clubs refused to let go of players named in the initial squad due to the clashes with the Indian Super League (ISL) schedule and not being mandatory as well. Now, with the postponement of certain games next week it has been made possible.
The football tournament for the men’s division in the Asian Games will begin on September 19, 2023, in Hangzhou, China. India will start their Asian Games journey against hosts China. They will face Bangladesh on 21st September 2023 with just a day's rest. The same is true with the final group game against Myanmar. The knockout stage begins soon after with the final of the competition scheduled on 7th October 2023 should the team make it that far.
Men’s squad for Asian Games 2023
Goalkeepers: Gurmeet Singh (Hyderabad FC), Dheeraj Singh Moirangthem (FC Goa), Vishal Yadav (Jamshedpur FC)
Defenders: Sumit Rathi (Mohun Bagan Super Giant), Narender Gahlot (Odisha FC) Deepak Tangri (Mohun Bagan Super Giant), Sandesh Jhingan (FC Goa), Chinglensana Singh (Hyderabad FC), Lalchungnunga (East Bengal FC)
Midfielders/Wingers: Amarjit Singh Kiyam (Punjab FC), Samuel James (Punjab FC), Ayush Dev Chhetri (FC Goa), Abdul Rabeeh (Hyderabad FC), Rohit Danu (Bengaluru FC), Vincy Bareto (Chennaiyin FC), Azfar Noorani (Kenkre FC), Bryce Miranda (Kerala Blasters), Aniket Jadhav (Odisha FC)
Forwards: Rahul KP (Kerala Blasters), Gurkirat Singh (Mumbai City FC), Rahim Ali (Chennaiyin FC), Sunil Chhetri (Bengaluru FC)
Head Coach: Igor Stimac
The India Men’s team called up a depleted 17-member list for the competition at first with captain Sunil Chhetri included in the squad. It has been increased to 21 players, one short of what teams are allowed to register because the federation is waiting on the injury status of Mahesh Singh. The star player for East Bengal picked up an issue during the King’s Cup game against Lebanon.
The team only had two centre-backs in the squad in the first place with Deepak Tangri joining later but requiring two more weeks to recover from his year-old ACL injury. Then Sandesh Jhingan, Chinglensana Singh and Lalchungnunga got added as the three new players to the list and in the defence area as per the latest development. Jhingan was named in the squad declared a few months ago and has been finally retained as one of the three overage players permissible in this U-23 competition.
However, goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu is not included again due to Bengaluru FC not having their other options available due to injuries reportedly. In his place, Jamshedpur FC’s Vishal Yadav has been picked to join the custodian group of Gurmeet Singh and Dheeraj Singh Moirangthem. Also, head coach Igor Stimac is now set to manage the squad in the Games after initial reports of him not taking charge.
The team still has a deficiency of real full-backs and is overloaded in the attacking sector although no more players will be added. Mohun Bagan initially planned to send Liston Colaco for the Games but a season-ending injury to fellow winger Ashique Kuruniyan revoked the plan. Due to the release of key players, the ISL clash between FC Goa and Hyderabad FC has been postponed to a later date. East Bengal are also demanding the same with their opener against Jamshedpur FC should Mahesh Singh is eventually selected.
Must Read | Indian Men’s Team draw for Asian Games 2023
