The Indian football team is preparing for their upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifier match against Kuwait, which is going to be held in Kolkata on June 6. Igor Stimac, the head coach of the Indian football team, announced their 27-player squad for the match, as it is also the last match for veteran Indian skipper Sunil Chhetri.
The squad in Bhubaneswar initially included a total of 32 players, but they were released. The released players are Parthib Gogoi, Phurba Lachenpa, Jithin MS, Imran Khan, and Muhammad Hammad.
Igor Stimac On the Indian Football Team
The Croatian coach Igor Stimac made a statement on the released players and stated that ‘All of them were very professional and hard-working. The competition is strong amongst them, especially in the positions of Jithin and Parthib.’ He added and said that the players Parthib Gogoi and Muhammad Hammad suffered slight injuries a few days ago, and they at least need 7 to 14 days of rest. The Croatian national didn’t mention what type of injuries they were suffering from.
The remaining players of the squad will continue their training for the Kuwait match in Bhubaneswar until they leave for Kolkata on May 29. The Blue Tigers will face the Blue Wave on June 6 at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, most commonly known as the Saltlake Stadium.
After the match against Kuwait, the Blue Tigers will travel to Qatar on June 11 to face the final fixtures of Group A. India is currently ranked second in the table with four points from their four games, with one win and two losses. If the result remains the same, the group’s top two teams will move to the third round of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers and will secure a spot in the AFC Asia Cup, which is going to be held in Saudi Arabia in 2027.
Igor Stimac on Chhetri’s Retirement
Sunil Chhetri, the veteran Indian skipper, will play the last match of his career against the Kuwait national football team, as the veteran skipper announced his retirement from football on May 17. It will end his 19-year career with 94 international goals for the Blue Tigers. He will also leave his career with the most international-capped player appearances for the Blue Tigers after competing in 151 matches.
Igor Stimac made a statement on May 18 after hearing the retirement of Sunil Chhetri in which he stated that ‘We were more than simply a coach and a player, and I am very proud of the relationship we have amongst us and the group. I am very confident that whatever he decides to do after football will have an immense impact on society in a very positive way. He was born to become a GOAT’.
I’d like to say something… pic.twitter.com/xwXbDi95WV
— Sunil Chhetri (@chetrisunil11) May 16, 2024
Many people, like Virat Kolhi, the officials of the BCCI, Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Bengaluru FC, congratulated him for his tremendous contribution to the Indian football team and also for his health.
Chhetri remains in the third position behind the all-time greats Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi with the most number of goals in international football.
Indian Football Team Squad Against Kuwait
Goalkeepers: Vishal Kaith, Amrinder Singh, and Gurpreet Singh Sandhu.
Defenders: Anwar Ali, Amey Ranawade, Jay Gupta, Lalchungnunga, Narender, Mehtab Singh, Nikhil Poojary, Rahul Bheke, and Subhasish Bose.
Midfielders: Brandon Fernandes, Anirudh Thapa, Jeakson Singh Thounaojam, Edmund Lalrindika, Liston Colaco, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Mahesh Singh Naorem, Sahal Abdul Samad, Nandhakumar Sekar, and Suresh Singh Wangjam.
Forwards: Manvir Singh, Rahim Ali, Sunil Chhetri, Vikram Partap Singh, and David Lalhlansanga.
