India lists 42 probables for Fifa qualifiers

Dubai: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has released a list of 42 probables who have been called for the camp to select the squad to participate in the 2014 Fifa World Cup qualifiers against the UAE.

The players have been asked to report to chief coach Armando Colaco for the camp scheduled to be held in New Delhi from June 15.

India will play the double-header against the UAE on July 23 and then the home game in Delhi on July 28.

In addition to the 42 names, goalkeeper Arindam Bhattacharyya and midfielder Anthony Pereira will also be a part of the camp as part of their ongoing rehabilitation process. The two are a part of India's Olympic campaign against Qatar and will be joining the camp after June 23.

Meanwhile, the preparatory camp for 25 probables of the Olympics team will be held in Pune from June 10.

Following is the list of India probables:

Goalkeepers: Subrata Pal (Pune FC); Jagroop Singh (Indian Arrows); Sandip Nandy (Kingfisher East Bengal); Karanjit Singh (Salgaocar); Laxmikant Kattimani (Dempo SC).

Defenders: Gourmangi Singh, Denzel Franco, Robert Lalthlamuana, Rowilson Rodrigues (Churchill Brothers); Thokchom Naoba Singh, Gurwinder Singh (Kingfisher East Bengal); Raju Eknath Gaikwad (Indian Arrows); Khangembam Singh (Salgaocar); Valleriano Rebello, Debabrata Roy, Sameer Naik, Mahesh Gawli (Dempo SC); Mohanraj, Rakesh Masih (McDowell Mohun Bagan).

Midfielders: Mehtab Hussain, Syed Rahim Nabi, Harmanjot Khabra (Kingfisher East Bengal); Steven Dias (Churchill Brothers); Jewel Raja Shaikh, Khan Gembam Jibon Singh, Shilton D'Silva, Lalrindika Ralte (Indian Arrows); Gilbert Oliveira, Francis Fernandes, Anthony Barbosa, Rocus Lamare, Baldeep Singh (Salgaocar SC); Peter Carvalho, Climax Lawrence, Clifford Miranda (Dempo SC); Xavier Vijay Kumar (HAL).

Forwards: Sunil Chhetri (Chirag United); Jeje Lalpekhlua (Indian Arrows); Joaquim Abranches (Dempo SC); C.S. Sabeeth, Anil Kumar (Viva Kerala); Sushil Kumar Singh (Kingfisher East Bengal)

Nabi moves to Bagan

Calcutta: Syed Rahim Nabi has won most of the important trophies in Indian football with the national team as well as with East Bengal. But the premier trophy — the I-League title — is still missing from his closet. In search of that elusive title, the defender broke from East Bengal’s ranks to join archrivals Mohun Bagan. He was unveiled at the Bagan tent on Thursday.

Speaking at a media-conference on Thursday, Nabi said he was determined to win laurels for his new club. “I have been with East Bengal since 2004. I have drawn appreciation from every one and won many trophies for the club. But the I-League is one trophy which has eluded me. I want to re-invent myself in this revered club. I want to win the I-League and many other trophies for Mohun Bagan,” said Nabi. He said he took the decision to play for Bagan towards the end of the season.

“East Bengal took the initiative (to sign him) only last night (Wednesday night). I had already given my word to Bagan officials and my contract with East Bengal had also expired,” said Nabi.

“At the start of my career, it was Bagan who first offered me to play for them. Due to some reasons, we could not strike a deal. But, now, I am happy to don the green and maroon jersey.”

The club’s football secretary Anjan Mitra, amid thunderous applause from the club’s supporters, presented Nabi with the club’s jersey. The player is signed for a two-year deal for an approximate sum of Rs 45-50 lakh a season.

Nabi said that he wanted to enjoy playing alongside Bagan star Jose Ramirez Barreto. “I always wanted to play with Barreto, to strike a partnership with him and score goals. I want to relish the chance to play with (Okolie) Odafe as well,” asserted Nabi.

Mitra also revealed that the club has also signed NP Pradeep from Viva Kerala, although the player was not present at the press conference.

Olympic Qualifier: Indian Football Team Probables Announced

The following 25 footballers have been asked to report at the Preparatory Camp in Pune on June 10 for India’s Home-and-Away Qualifiers against Qatar. India play Qatar in Doha on June 19 and in Pune on June 23.

The victorious Indian team after the qualifier against Myanmar

LIST OF PROBABLES: 

GOALKEEPERS: Laxmikant Kattimani (Dempo SC), Jagroop Singh, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Ravikumar (all Indian Arrows).

DEFENDERS: Inderpreet Singh, Raju Eknath Gaikwad, Deepak Devrani, R Vishal Kumar, Abhishek Das, Lalrozama Fenai (all Indian Arrows); Arnab Mondal (Chirag United), Saba Saleel (ONGC).

MIDFIELDERS: Jewel Raja Sheikh, Shilton Sydney D’Silva, Ongnam Milan Singh, Kh. Jibon Singh, Lalrindika Ralte (all Indian Arrows); Gurjinder Kumar (Pune FC), Snehasis Chakraborthy (McDowell Mohun Bagan), Anthony Barbosa (Salgaocar SC), Zakir Mundampara (Churchill Brothers).

FORWARDS: Jeje Lalpekhlua, Manandeep Singh, Jagtar Singh (all Indian Arrows); CS Sabeeth (Viva Kerala).