Asian Games 2023: Sunil Chhetri headlines as AIFF names 17-member Indian men's football squad

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New Delhi, Sep 13: Sunil Chhetri headlines the 17-member Indian national men's squad as the All India Football Federation (AIFF) on Wednesday (September 13) announced the squad for the Asian Games 2023, in Hangzhou, China, starting September 19.

While announcing the squad, the AIFF thanked the Indian Super League clubs, as well as the FSDL, for coordinating with the national body for the release of players in the quadrennial event. Captain Chhetri makes his return to the national side after missing the just-concluded Kings Cup in Thailand.

The Indian football team was included in the Asian Games contingent after national men's team head coach Igor Stimac urged the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and the Union Government to allow the football team to participate in the tournament.

AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey after the announcement of the men's squad said, "It has been a hectic time for Indian football season this time. We have a tight schedule within a short period of time that was not easy to manage.

"There have been too many things happening, both at the domestic and the international level, involving India's National Teams, as well as the ISL clubs. While the Senior National Men's Team successfully completed playing a series of matches, they are also awaiting to play the Asian Games, followed by Merdeka Cup, World Cup Qualifiers, and the AFC Asian Cup," he said.

The AIFF President pointed out that things are busy on the domestic front too. The clubs are busy, not only in the top domestic league with an increased number of matches but a few clubs are also committed to playing in Asian competitions.

"We must remember that there are general elections coming, and to avoid the adverse weather conditions in certain parts of the country, we had to adjust the schedule, and shorten the domestic calendar to an extent so that these things don't hamper the quality of the games and put unnecessary pressure on the players.

"There were situations which were unavoidable and demanded a great balancing act. It was never easy, but at the same time, I must reach out to FSDL and the clubs, thanking them for making it possible.

"The Indian National Team are going to the Asian Games after a nine-year gap, and it has become possible because of the active support the Indian Football received from the Government of India, especially the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports," said the AIFF President.

He once again thanked the Government of India and the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports for their support to Indian football and utmost cooperation. Mr Chaubey expressed confidence that the Indian team will perform creditably in the Asian Games and will take Indian Football forward.

Indian Men's Football Squad for Asian Games

Gurmeet Singh, Dheeraj Singh Moirangthem, Sumit Rathi, Narender Gahlot, Amarjit Singh Kiyam, Samuel James, Rahul KP, Abdul Rabeeh Anjukandan, Ayush Dev Chhetri, Bryce Miranda, Azfar Noorani, Rahim Ali, Vincy Bareto, Sunil Chhetri, Rohit Danu, Gurkirat Singh, Aniket Jadhav.