Asian Games / Indian football team announced for Asian Games, Sunil Chhetri's entry in the team

Asian Games: Asian Games are to be played in China from 23 September. India's football team has also got the green signal to play in this tournament. Meanwhile, the Indian football team for the Asian Games has been announced. Charismatic player Sunil Chhetri, senior defender Sandesh Jhingan and senior goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu have been included in India's 22-member football squad for the tournament.

Announcement of the team after approval

The team will play under coach Igor Stimac in the Asian Games to be held in Hangzhou, China. It is learned that the Indian has got clearance from the Asian Games organizers and the Olympic Council of Asia. The participation of the Indian men's and women's football team at the Hangzhou Games was earlier in doubt as the Sports Ministry had decided to send only the top-8 ranked teams from the continent to the Games. However, after an appeal by the AIFF, the ministry later cleared both the teams after relaxing the eligibility norms. Head coach Igor Stimac had also sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi's intervention in the matter.

Team India included in the group

The Indian men's team has been placed in Group A alongside hosts China, Bangladesh and Myanmar. 23 teams are participating in the tournament, which are divided into 6 groups. Groups A, B, C, E and F have four teams each while Group D has three teams. Under-23 players take part in the football competition at the Asian Games, but due to a one-year delay in organizing the Games, the organization has allowed players under 24 to play. To participate in this, the cut-off date of birth has been fixed as January 1, 1999.

Indian team for Asian Games:

Goalkeepers: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Gurmeet Singh, Dheeraj Singh Moirangthem.

Defenders: Sandesh Jhingan, Anwar Ali, Narendra Gehlot, Lalchungnunga, Akash Mishra, Roshan Singh, Ashish Rai.

Midfielders: Jackson Singh Thounaojam, Suresh Singh Wangjam, Apuiya Ralte, Amarjeet Singh Kiyam, Rahul KP, Naorem Mahesh Singh.

Forwards: Shiv Sakthi Narayanan, Rahim Ali, Sunil Chhetri, Aniket Jadhav, Vikram Pratap Singh, Rohit Danu.