Indian Football Team coach Manolo Marquez announces 26-man probable squad with Multiple Changes for Vietnam Tour

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Indian football team head coach Manolo Marquez, has announced a 26-member probables list for the upcoming Tri-Nation friendly tournament to be held in Vietnam in October. The Blue Tigers will compete against hosts Vietnam on October 9 and Lebanon on October 12 at the Thien Truong Stadium in Nam Dinh.

This tournament will serve as an opportunity for the Indian team to regroup after their disappointing campaign in the Intercontinental Cup earlier this year. Marquez, who took charge of the national side in June 2024, faced a rough start in his debut tournament.

While India's performance in the Intercontinental Cup was commendable in parts, inconsistencies in key areas meant that the team fell short of expectations. This has led the Spanish tactician to make several changes to the squad in hopes of improvement.

The squad for the Vietnam tournament features notable changes aimed at strengthening the team's performance from their last friendly series. Marquez has opted for three goalkeepers, including veteran Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, and has packed the defense with the likes of Rahul Bheke, Anwar Ali, and Subhasish Bose.

In midfield, young talents such as Jeakson Singh Thounaojam and Suresh Singh Wangjam retain their places, alongside the experienced Anirudh Thapa and Brandon Fernandes. This balanced combination should provide India with the control and creativity they have been lacking in recent outings.

Upfront, the squad includes forward options like Manvir Singh, Rahim Ali, and new inclusion like Farukh Chaudhary - all of whom will be expected to sharpen India's attack. The final 23-man squad will be confirmed before the team departs for Vietnam. With the tournament just days away, India's football fans will be eager to see how this revamped squad performs under the new coach.

India 26-probable squad for Tri-Nation friendly tournament in Vietnam:

Goalkeepers: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Amrinder Singh, Vishal Kaith.

Defenders: Nikhil Poojary, Rahul Bheke, Chinglensana Singh Konsham, Anwar Ali, Aakash Sangwan, Subhasish Bose, Asish Rai, Mehtab Singh, Roshan Singh Naorem.

Midfielders: Suresh Singh Wangjam, Lalrinliana Hnamte, Jeakson Singh Thounaojam, Nandhakumar Sekar, Brandon Fernandes, Anirudh Thapa, Liston Colaco, Lalengmawia, Lallianzuala Chhangte.

Forwards: Edmund Lalrindika, Farukh Chaudhary, Manvir Singh, Vikram Partap Singh, Rahim Ali.