India Names 23-Member Squad for Friendly Against Vietnam

Indian men’s football team head coach, Manolo Márquez, announced a 23-member squad on Sunday for the upcoming international friendly against Vietnam. The match is set to take place on October 12, following Lebanon’s withdrawal from the originally planned tri-nation tournament. India was initially scheduled to play Vietnam on October 9 and Lebanon on October 12.

Midfielders Anirudh Thapa and Sahal Abdul Samad from Mohun Bagan Super Giant, as well as East Bengal FC’s Nandhakumar Sekar, are notably absent from the squad. 

Márquez addressed the exclusions, stating, “There are still some players who are performing well but they are not here. We’re still in the beginning of the season. I don’t want to talk much about the ones who are not here. If you speak with 20 people, all of them will give you a different list. We called these players because we think they are the best to play against Vietnam.”

The squad also features some fresh faces, with left-back Aakash Sangwan and 21-year-old midfielder Lalrinliana Hnamte receiving their first-ever national team call-ups. 

Additionally, forward Farukh Choudhary makes his return to the Blue Tigers after a three-year absence. The 26-year-old last represented India in 2021, when he scored in a friendly against Nepal and was part of the SAFF Championship-winning squad in the same year.

The upcoming match against Vietnam is a crucial test for India as they continue to build momentum ahead of important international tournaments. The match will serve as a chance for new players like Sangwan and Hnamte to make their mark on the national stage, while experienced players such as Gurpreet Singh Sandhu and Rahul Bheke will provide stability in key areas.

India’s 23-member squad for the Vietnam friendly:

Goalkeepers: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Amrinder Singh, Vishal Kaith.

Defenders: Nikhil Poojary, Rahul Bheke, Chinglensana Singh Konsham, Anwar Ali, Aakash Sangwan, Subhasish Bose, Asish Rai, Mehtab Singh, Roshan Singh Naorem.

Midfielders: Suresh Singh Wangjam, Lalrinliana Hnamte, Jeakson Singh Thounaojam, Brandon Fernandes, Liston Colaco, Lalengmawia, Lallianzuala Chhangte.

Forwards: Edmund Lalrindika, Farukh Choudhary, Manvir Singh, Vikram Partap Singh.

This friendly serves as a key fixture for India’s preparations, with fans eager to see how Márquez’s squad fares against a strong Vietnamese side.