Intercontinental Cup 2024: New Inclusions In India Team's Probable 26-man Squad For Preparatory Camp

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New Indian football head coach Manolo Marquez has unveiled his 26-man squad for India's upcoming Intercontinental Cup matches in September.

Marquez, who recently took over as head coach, has made significant changes to the team, bringing in nine fresh faces compared to the squad that played in the World Cup qualifiers against Kuwait and Qatar in June.

New inclusions:

Prabhsukhan Singh Gill
Puitea
Kiyan Nassiri Giri
Chinglensana Singh Konsham
Roshan Singh Naorem
Ashish Rai
Yasir Mohammad
Subhasish Bose
Apuia Ralte

Among the most notable new inclusions are goalkeeper Prabhsukhan Singh Gill, midfielder Puitea, and forward Kiyan Nassiri Giri. These three players are yet to make their debuts for the national team, and the upcoming matches against Syria and Mauritius provide them with a golden opportunity to don the Indian jersey for the first time.

Their inclusion signals Marquez's intent to inject new energy and talent into the squad, giving these young players a chance to prove their worth on the international stage. Additionally, the experienced duo of Subhasish Bose and Apuia Ralte are returning to the squad after being left out of the June World Cup qualifiers.

Both players are seasoned campaigners for India, and their return is expected to bolster the team's defense and midfield. Bose's versatility and leadership at the back, combined with Ralte's composure in the center of the pitch, will be key assets as India looks to fine-tune its preparations for future competitions.

While several players are making their debut or return to the squad, others are still looking to establish themselves as regular starters. Chinglensana Singh Konsham and Roshan Singh Naorem, both of whom have 10 caps each for India, are expected to get more playing time under Marquez's regime.

They have shown glimpses of their potential in previous outings and will be eager to cement their places in the team. Ashish Rai, who has just one appearance for India in a friendly loss against Lebanon in 2023, will be looking to earn more minutes on the pitch.

Meanwhile, Yasir Mohammad, with 13 caps under his belt, is another player who will be hoping to showcase his abilities in the upcoming matches.

The Intercontinental Cup, featuring teams like Syria and Mauritius, serves as a key preparation for the Indian team as they build towards future international campaigns. All eyes will be on the new faces as well as the returning regulars as they take the field under Manolo Marquez's guidance.