Sunil Chettri to lead India in AFC Challenge Cup
March 5th, 2012 - 10:47 pm ICT by IANSKathmandu, March 5 (IANS) Ace striker SUnil Chettri will be leading the Indian team in the AFC Challenge Cup football tournament starting here Thursday.
Coach Savio Medeira has named defender Syed Rahim Nabi as Chettri’s deputy.
“Both Sunil and Nabi are quality players. They have earned the respect of every one, by their team play and leadership quality,” Medeira said.
“Sunil did a good job at the SAFF Championship, where he led from the front. Sunil has matured a lot. While Nabi has been one of the consistent performers for India in the recent times and has an experience to captain his club side,” he added.
Sunil said leading the 2008 champions will be a great honour.
“It’s a matter of pride and great responsibility to lead the country in such an important tournament. I feel privileged for such an honour. I would try my best to win the title and qualify for the Asian Cup,” said Sunil.
India play their first match against Tajikistan, Friday.
The squad:
Goalkeepers: Karanjit Singh, Subhasish Roychowdhury, Arindam Bhattacharya;
Defenders: Nirmal Chhetri, Raju Gaikwad, Sameer Naik, Gourmangi Singh, Anwar Ali, Kinsukh Debnath, Syed Rahim Nabi (vice-captain), Gurjinder Singh;
Midfielders: Adil Khan, Anthony Pereira, Reisangmi Vashum, Rocus Lamare, Francis Fernandes, Jewel Raja, Lenny Rodrigues, Lalrindika Ralte; and
Forwards: Sunil Chhetri (captain), Sushil Singh, C.S.Sabeeth, Joaquim Abranches.
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Tags: adil khan, afc challenge cup, anwar ali, arindam bhattacharya, asian cup, consistent performers, cup football, football tournament, gurjinder singh, lamare, leadership quality, matter of pride, medeira, midfielders, nabi, quality players, raju, rocus, savio, vice captain