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In the run-up to the SAFF Championship, the Indian National Football Team is all set to host Zambia in a FIFA International Friendly at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa on Tuesday. The match serves as the perfect backdrop for the eight-Nation tournament which kicks-off on December 2, 2011.
The SAFF Championship, at the moment can wait; and against Zambia India would be taking the field without the awesome twosome – strikers Sunil Chhetri and Jeje Lalpekhlua, both of whom are away for trials at Scottish giants Rangers.
Chief Coach Savio Medeira stays aware of the Zambian challenge. “The match is very important for us. This is a great opportunity to gauge where we stand. The Zambian team are ranked higher than us and are an athletic side,” he said. “It will be a learning experience for the boys ahead of the SAFF Championship.”
Govin Singh and Nirmal Chhetri make a comeback to the National squad for the match.
However, Medeira seemed unfazed by the absence of his strikers. “It’s true the duo has brought us laurels in the recent past. But this is a great opportunity for the others to prove themselves,” he added.
The boys, nevertheless, stay unperturbed by their higher ranked rivals. They look forward to repeat their performance against Malaysia when India got the better of them in a two-match series.
“If we play as a unit – the manner we played against Malaysia, we should pose a challenge for Zambia,” quipped Baljit Sahni. “We hope to bank on the crowd support. We will give our 100 percent,” he echoed.
The Kick-off is at 3:45 pm and would be telecast live on DD Sports.
The squad is as follows:
Goalkeepers: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Karanjit Singh, Subhashish Roy Chowdhury.
Defenders: Jaspal Singh, Sameer Naik, Mahesh Gawli, Debabrata Roy, Nirmal Chhetri, Syed Rahim Nabi, Gouramangi Singh, Govin Singh.
Midfeilders: Baldeep Singh, Rocus Lamare, Mehrajuddin Wadoo, Francis Fernandes, Climax Lawrence, Anthony Periera, Clifford Miranda, Jewel Raja, Steven Dias, Lalrindika Ralte.
Forwards: Baljit Sahni, Sushil Singh, Joaquim Abranches.
OFFICIALS:
Head Coach: Savio Medeira
Assistant Coach: Mariano Dias
Doctor: Sandeep Kumar
Physical Trainer: Pradip Datta
Massuer: Liaqat Ali.
Physio: Vishnu Nair
Manager: Mandar Tamhane
