AIFF Media Team

BENGAURU: A 23-member Indian National Team squad on Friday (September 4) afternoon arrived in ‘Namma Uru, Bengaluru,’ for the forthcoming Russia 2018 World Cup Preliminary Joint Qualification match against ‘Giants of Asia,’ Iran. The match against Iran is slated for September 8, the kick-off of which at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium is at 7pm.

The Team had been training at DSK Shivajians in Pune from August 24 prior to arriving in the ‘Garden City’. Besides, Team India also played an International Friendly against Nepal on August 31 which ended in a goalless draw.

Speaking to www.the-aiff.com, National Coach Stephen Constantine disclosed that he was “happy to be back in Bengaluru.”

“We have great support here. The fans are really behind the National Team. I appreciate that and so do the Players,” he stated.

“I hope we can give the fans something to cheer about. I will be very difficult match for us but that’s the time when you can discover on whom you can depend upon,” he added.

The September FIFA Rakings indicate that Iran are presently ranked 40 in the ladder with India at 155.

The boys were given a break in the afternoon and practice would resume from tomorrow (Saturday, September 5) morning.

Reflecting back on the training stint in Pune, the Coach summed it in one word as ‘awesome.’

“The huge advantage that the DSK Campus has is that you have everything in one place. You have your medical facilities, the pool, the gym, rooms for screening and analysis in one Campus besides the two wonderful training grounds,” he stated.

“You have everything that you should have as a Club never mind a National Team.”

“Furthermore, the willingness of the authorities who were immensely proud to serve the National Team was awesome indeed. I need to thank Mr. Shirish Kulkarni and his Team and look forward to continuing to the relationship with them in the future,” he affirmed.

The final squad of 23 stay as follows:

GOALKEEPERS:

Subrata Paul, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Arindam Bhattacharya.

DEFENDERS:

Dhanapal Ganesh, Arnab Mondal, Sandesh Jhingan, Aiborlang Khongjee, Dhanachandra Singh, Narayan Das, Rino Anto, Pritam Kotal.

MIDFIELDERS:

Eugenson Lyngdoh, Cavin Lobo, Sehnaj Singh, Jackichand Singh, Pronoy Halder, Francis Fernandes, CK Vineeth, Rowlin Borges, Romeo Fernandes.

FORWARDS:

Jeje Lalpekhlua, Robin Singh, Sunil Chhetri.