Khalid Jamil, head coach of the Indian men’s national football team, has urged the clubs and the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to solve the issue of ‘release’ of players from negotiation. Jamil’s remarks have come after 14 players from three teams of Indian Super League (ISL) have not yet joined the national camp. These players include national team captain Sunil Chhetri.
This important camp is being organized for the preparation of AFC Asian Cup qualifying matches. Jamil insisted on the need to resolve the matter in such a way, saying that there is ‘balance between clubs and national commitments’. Jamil had announced the names of 30 potential players for the preparation camp before India’s important Asian Cup qualifying matches to be held on their grounds against Singapore on October 9 and on October 14.
Out of this, 14 players have not yet been released by their clubs. In this, a player is unavailable due to illness. Brandon Fernandes, Ashir Akhtar and Farooq Chaudhary have been included in the players practicing in Bengaluru since 20 September.
Jamil admitted that the team’s practice is being affected due to shortage of players. The most impact in this is falling on protection. Only Hamingathanmavia Ralte and Ashir Akhtar have attended the camp from the defense line. Jamil, who held the office of head coach last month, told ‘PTI’, “Our preparation is always a team-centered instead of being based on the player. The absence of players of some places has naturally affected practice. ”
The Indian coach said, “Some players will join different stages and we are working to use the available resources. I believe that it is important to work together to find a solution that balances clubs and national commitments over the long term. ”
Apart from Bengaluru FC, East Bengal and Punjab FC have delayed releasing their players. The 48 -year -old former player had deliberately excluded the players of Mohun Bagan SG and FC Goa among the 30 probables selected for the camp as they were involved in AFC Champions League Two. The team of Mohan Bagan will take on SC SC in Iran on 30 September while FC Goa will play FC Isticolol in Tajikistan on October 1.
He said, “The situation with Mohun Bagan and FC Goa was clear from the beginning as they had important continental matches. We fully respect him and we have planned accordingly. “India, currently with one point in two matches (0–0 against Bangladesh and 0–1 against Hong Kong) is firm to improve its position in Group C. Only the top team from the group will qualify for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup. Singapore tops the group table with four points in two matches.
Players in National Camp (18)
Goalkeeper: Amarinder Singh, Gurmeet Singh, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu.
SuKushakti: Hamingathanamavia Ralte, Ashir Akhtar.
Midfielder: Brandon Fernandes, Danish Farooq Bhat, Jithin MS, Macartan Louis Nixon, Mohammad Aman, Vibin Mohanan.
Forward: Farukh Chaudhary, Irfan Yadavad, Lallianzuala Changte, Manveer Singh (Junior), Mohammad Sanan Ke, Parthib Gogoi, Vikram Pratap Singh.
