Kolkata: The Indian U23 National team would embark on their journey to AFC Asian Cup to be held in Uzbekistan in 2022 with the qualifiers, where they have been drawn in Group E alongside Oman, UAE, and the Kyrgyz Republic. Igor Stimac had named an array of 23 talented youngsters mostly hailing from the Indian Super League clubs. The complete squad is as follows:
Goalkeepers: Dheeraj Singh Moirangthem (FC Goa), Prabhsukhan Singh Gill (Kerala Blasters FC), Mohammad Nawaz (Mumbai City FC).
Defenders: Narender Gahlot (Jamshedpur FC), Alex Saji (Gokulam Kerala FC), Hormipam Ruivah (Kerala Blasters FC), Asish Rai (Hyderabad FC), Sumit Rathi (ATK Mohun Bagan FC), Akash Mishra (Hyderabad FC).
Midfielders: Suresh Singh Wangjam (Bengaluru FC), Amarjit Singh Kiyam (SC East Bengal on loan from FC Goa), Lalengmawia Ralte (Mumbai City FC), Jeakson Singh (Kerala Blasters FC), Deepak Tangri (ATK Mohun Bagan FC), Rahul KP (Kerala Blasters FC), Komal Thatal (Jamshedpur FC), Nikhil Raj (Odisha FC on loan from Kickstart FC), Bryce Miranda (Churchill Brothers FC), Princeton Rebello (FC Goa).
Forwards: Vikram Partap Singh (Mumbai City FC), Rahim Ali (Chennaiyin FC), Rohit Danu (Hyderabad FC), Aniket Jadhav (Hyderabad FC).
Although all of the selected players are immensely talented, there are these few youngsters who have garnered a lot more expectations.
1. Dheeraj Singh Moirangthem- The former Indian U-17 World Cup star goalkeeper is likely to be the first choice for the starting XI. He has been impressive for FC Goa this season as well as last and had some amazing performances in the AFC Champions League Campaign for the Gaurs even keeping two clean sheets. The reflexes and the commanding nature of the 21-year-old will help him be the last line of defense for India.
2. Lalengmawia- Lalengmawia was one of India’s top performers in the SAFF Championship and was one of the aces in India’s wins over Nepal and Maldives. Apuia would make use of his passing abilities and composed natures in the midfield to guide India to some memorable results.
3. Vikram Pratap Singh: The Minerva Punjab- trained forward has shown his talent quite a several times at the youth level. The dribbling ability, along with his pace and vision would make him the outstanding star in India’s front three.
4. Rahim Ali- Rahim Ali was also a part of India’s SAFF Championships winning campaign and has impressed Igor Stimac to an extent after being the Man of the Tournament in the Nepal friendlies. Ali is mostly to be seen leading the line, with his hold-up play, ability to create spaces, and swift reaction, he only has to work on his finishing.
5. Rahul KP- Talking of clinical finishers, Rahul KP has to be in the front three with his impressive stint last season with Kerala Blasters. The third highest scorer for the club, Rahul had found the net against teams like Bengaluru FC and FC Gao. It will be an exciting affair to watch the creative forward combine up with the likes of Vikram and Ali.
India has a very impressive contingent however the absence of ball-playing center back like Anwar Ali and prolific poachers like Nemil still arises a few questions. Nevertheless, the Blue Colts are set to begin their campaign against Oman on October 24.
