By Sayan Sengupta, Kolkata: The Indian football team will be aiming to bounce back from a disappointing run of results when they take on Tajikistan national football team in two upcoming international friendlies.
Read Bengali: তাজিকিস্তান ম্যাচের জন্য স্কোয়াড ঘোষণা খালিদের, কারা থাকছেন?
The Blue Tigers struggled in the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers and later endured another disappointing campaign in the Unity Cup, where they suffered defeats against Jamaica and Zimbabwe. Those performances left Indian football fans frustrated and increased pressure on the national side ahead of the new international window.
Now, head coach Khalid Jamil has officially announced India’s squad for the two matches against Tajikistan, scheduled for June 5 and June 9.
Experienced Goalkeepers Included
India’s goalkeeping department will feature a mix of experience and youth. Veteran shot-stopper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu leads the group alongside Albino Gomes and young goalkeeper Ritwik Tiwari.
Strong Defensive Unit Selected
The defensive lineup also includes several experienced names. The selected defenders are:
• Rahul Bheke
• Nikhil Barla
• Nikhil Poojary
• Roshan Singh Naorem
• Sandesh Jhingan
• Akash Mishra
• Vijay Varghese
• Paramveer
Midfield Combines Experience and Young Talent
Khalid Jamil has opted for a balanced midfield setup, blending experienced players with emerging talent.
The midfielders selected are:
• Jeakson Singh
• Macarton Nickson
• Ricky Shabong
• Noahfal PN
Plenty of Firepower in Attack
India’s attacking lineup features several exciting forwards capable of making an impact against Tajikistan.
The forwards in the squad are:
• Parthib Gogoi
• Edmund Lalrindika
• Lallianzuala Chhangte
• Mohammed Shanan
• Rahim Ali
• Farukh Choudhary
• Vikram Pratap Singh
Big Test Awaits India
With Tajikistan currently ranked significantly above India in the FIFA rankings, the two friendlies are expected to provide a tough challenge for the Blue Tigers.
The matches will also offer Khalid Jamil an important opportunity to assess his squad combination and identify players capable of leading India in future competitive tournaments.
