Want to try out few other players at CAFA Nations Cup, door open for Chhetri: Jamil

Panaji: India coach Khalid Jamil has left the “doors open” for Sunil Chhetri to make a return to the national team but will try out different players at the CAFA Nations Cup later this month.

Questions were asked why Jamil did not include India’s highest goal-scorer and most-capped footballer among the probables for the camp in Bengaluru. Along with Chhetri, other experienced players like Mohun Bagan captain Subhashish Bose, defender Ashish Rai, and Mumbai City midfielder Brandon Fernandes were also left out.

Jamil has, however, clarified he did not select the 41-year-old striker because he wanted to give other players a chance during the CAFA Nations Cup in Tajikistan.

“Sunil is a legend of Indian football,” Jamil said on Sunday. “I have played against him, I’ve seen him play on numerous occasions, and he is one of my favourite players. He is a role model for Indian football, and the door is always open for him.

“He’s not there in this camp because we are playing a tournament which will essentially serve as a preparation for our Asian Cup Qualifiers. I also want to try out a few other players during this FIFA window. I had a talk with him about the same. It’s always a pleasure to have a player like him in the team.”

Chhetri, who has the most international goals (95) after Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi among active players, was coaxed out of international retirement by national team coach Manolo Marquez early this year. He played four matches, but with Jamil now in-charge, his involvement with the national team remains to be seen.

Jamil’s first assignment will be the CAFA Nations Cup, where India have been grouped with hosts Tajikistan (Aug 29), Iran (Sept 1), and Afghanistan (Sept 4). The top teams from both groups will play the final on September 8 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, and the two second-placed teams will face each other in a battle for third place on the same day in Hisor.

The national camp began on Aug 16 with 22 players, with 13 others busy with club commitments in the Durand Cup.

“We started the camp with some players still not available, but we’ve got the players we need to begin our preparations. The important thing is that we remain united as a team, because this will be India’s first-ever participation in the CAFA Nations Cup, and it will be a good opportunity for us to play stronger opponents. Therefore, for the national interest, we would like to request cooperation from clubs to release players on time, to ensure their adequate participation during the preparatory camp,” said Jamil.

The following players have reported for the camp: Goalkeepers: Amrinder Singh, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Hrithik Tiwari; defenders: Akash Mishra, Alex Saji, Boris Singh, Chinglensana Singh, Hmingthanmawia Ralte, Rahul Bheke, Roshan Singh , Sandesh Jhingan, Sunil Benchamin; midfielders: Ashique Kuruniyan, Danish Farooq, Nikhil Prabhu, Rahul KP, Suresh Singh, Udanta Singh; forwards: Irfan Yadwad, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Rahim Ali and Vikram Partap Singh.

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