AIFF picks fresh faces for Challenge Cup

NEW DELHI: India's national coach Savio Medeira has announced a 23-member squad for the AFC Challenge Cup that begins in Kathmandu on March 9.
Following the international retirements of Mahesh Gawli and Climax Lawrence, the squad has a rather inexperienced look with defender Gurjinder Singh and midfielder Adil Khan among the freshest of the lot.
Defending champions India play their first match against Tajikistan on March 9.
Sunil Chhetri will spearhead the attack which also has Sushil Singh, CS Sabeeth and Joaquim Abranches.
Churchill Brothers' Gouramangi Singh will be the lynchpin of defence, with Syed Rahim Nabi Anwar Ali and Sameer Naik helping him out.
Mohun Bagan stopper back Kingshuk Debnath has been named in the squad but Arnab Mondal missed out.
The midfield has Dempo's Anthony Pereira, East Bengal's Reisangmi Vashum and Salgaocar's Rocus Lamare among others.
The team will leave for Kathmandu on 4.
Squad: Goalkeepers: Karanjit Singh, Subhasish Roychowdhury, Arindam Bhattacharya.
Defenders: Nirmal Chhetri, Raju Gaikwad, Sameer Naik, Gouramangi Singh, Anwar Ali, Kinsukh Debnath, Syed Rahim Nabi, Gurjinder Singh.
Midfielders: Adil Khan, Anthony Pereira, Reisangmi Vashum, Rocus Lamare, Francis Fernandes, Jewel Raja, Lenny Rodrigues, Lalrindika Ralte.
Forwards: Sunil Chhetri, Sushil Singh, CS Sabeeth, Joaquim Abranches