Goalkeeper Kattimani has been rewarded after some impressive performances under the bar for Zico's FC Goa in the ongoing Indian Super League (ISL). Constantine has also shown faith in Romeo despite some inconsistent form shown by the pacey winger, while another Goan youngster Augustin Fernandes -- the Salgaocar defender, who is on loan to Atletico de Kolkata -- gets a look-in
THE GOAN Network
PANAJI
Dempo players Laxmikant Kattimani and Romeo Fernandes have been picked by head coach Stephen Constantine in the 25-member squad for India's 2018 World Cup qualifier against Guam, which is scheduled to be played in Bangalore on November 12.
Goalkeeper Kattimani has been rewarded after some impressive performances under the bar for Zico's FC Goa in the ongoing Indian Super League (ISL). Constantine has also shown faith in Romeo despite some inconsistent form shown by the pacey winger, while another Goan youngster Augustin Fernandes -- the Salgaocar defender, who is on loan to Atletico de Kolkata -- gets a look-in.
While the core of the squad is almost the same compared to the one that lost against Oman and Turkemenistan, six new faces have been included in the rosters. Besides the Goan trio, Robin Gurung, Holicharan Narzary (NorthEast United) and Harmanjot Singh Khabra (Chennaiyin FC) have all made the cut, while Dhanachandra Singh, Rino Anto and Jackichand Singh have missed out. While Dhanachandra is nursing an injury, the other two have been axed by the British coach.
While no Royal Wahingdoh players have been included in the list, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu and Rowlin Borges are the only members who are not plying their trade in the ISL. FC Goa have the maximum representation in the India squad with as many four players into the elite list.
India are still lingering at the bottom of the points table, having failed to open their account in the first five matches. The tie against Guam is a clear cut six pointer and anything short of a win on 12th will be a major jolt in India's hopes of qualifying in the 2019 AFC Asian Cup. The squad will assemble in Bengaluru on Nobember 8th with the target of lighting up Indian football a day after Diwali.
India squad
Goalkeepers: Subrata Paul (Mumbai City FC), Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (Stabaek), Karanjit Singh (Chennaiyin FC), Laxmikant Kattimani (FC Goa)
Defenders: Arnab Mondal (Atletico de Kolkata), Sandesh Jhingan (Kerala Blasters), Aiborlang Khongjee (NorthEast United), Lalchhuanmawia (Mumbai City FC), Narayan Das (FC Goa), Pritam Kotal (FC Pune City), Augustin Fernandes (Atletico de Kolkata), Robin Gurung (NorthEast United)
Midfielders: Eugeneson Lyngdoh (FC Pune City), Cavin Lobo (Kerala Blasters), Sehnaj Singh (Delhi Dynamos), Pronay Halder (FC Goa), Francis Fernandes (Delhi Dynamos), Rowllin Borges (Sporting Clube de Goa), Romeo Fernandes (FC Goa), Bikash Jairu (FC Pune City), Harmanjot Singh Khabra (Chennaiyin FC)
Forwards: Jeje Lalpekhlua (Chennaiyin FC), Robin Singh (Delhi Dynamos), Sunil Chhetri (Mumbai City FC), Holicharan Narzary (NorthEast United)
