File photo of Sunil Chhetri©
Veteran striker Sunil Chhetri was the only standout face in the 17-man Indian squad for the Hangzhou Asian Games as the All India Football Federation (AIFF) finally managed to field a second-tier team, but there is still a big question mark over head coach Igor Stimac guides the team. Most clubs had been unwilling to release the 22 players from the Indian squad as the Asian Games football schedule clashes with the ISL, which starts on September 21. But after lengthy and hectic discussions, the AIFF was able to announce a decision. an under-strength team consisting of nine players from the original 22, including Chhetri, while the rest consisted of inexperienced players from the clubs.
The national federation, which was able to form the team just three days before leaving for China, still thanked the Indian Super League clubs and the FSDL “for coordinating with them for the release of players”.
Indian selection:Gurmeet Singh, Dheeraj Singh Moirangthem, Sumit Rathi, Narender Gahlot, Amarjit Singh Kiyam, Samuel James, Rahul KP, Abdul Rabeeh Anjukandan, Ayush Dev Chhetri, Bryce Miranda, Azfar Noorani, Rahim Ali, Vincy Bareto, Sunil Chhetri, Rohit Danu, Gurkirat Singh, Aniket Jadhav.
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