Jeje Lalpekhlua makes India squad for AFC Challenge Cup 2014 qualifiers

Jeje Lalpekhlua (FILE PHOTO)

Indian national team head coach Wim Koevermans named a 23-man squad for next month’s AFC Challenge Cup 2014 qualifiers in Myanmar and Pune FC striker Jeje Lalpekhlua has a found a place in it.

The 22-year-old Mizoram striker enjoyed a dream start to his international career in 2011 at the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers but had been struggling to be a part of Koevermans’ plans. Jeje finally has convinced the Dutch coach and is one of three strikers in the squad.

Salgaocar goalkeeper Karanjit Singh also makes his return after missing out from the Palestine friendly due to injury while uncapped Dempo defender Rowilson Rodrigues has also been included.

Dempo duo Anthony Pereira and Joaquim Abranches, East Bengal defender Arnab Mondal and United Sikkim center back Sandesh Jhingan are excluded due to injuries.

Besides the four Churchill Brothers players and three members of the East Bengal squad who will be involved in the AFC Cup in midweek, the remaining 16 players will be leaving for Myanmar from Mumbai late on Monday evening.

The Churchill players will join the team in Myamar on February 27 and the East Bengal trio is expected to reach the South-East Asian country a day later.

India, currently placed 167th in the FIFA Rankings, start their campaign against Chinese Taipei (171) on March 2, then face Guam (183) on March 4 and the last match is against hosts Myanmar (164) two days later.

Squad

GOALKEEPERS: Subrata Pal (Prayag United), Sandip Nandy (Churchill Brothers), Karanjit Singh (Salgaocar).

DEFENDERS: Nirmal Chhetri, Syed Rahim Nabi (both from Mohun Bagan), Denzil Franco (Churchill Brothers), Gouramangi Singh (Prayag United), Rowilson Rodrigues (Dempo ), Shouvik Ghosh (Pailan Arrows), Raju Gaikwad (East Bengal), Gurjinder Singh (Pune FC).

MIDFIELDERS: Lenny Rodrigues (Churchill Brothers), Lalkamal Bhowmick, CK Vineet (both from Prayag United), Arata Izumi (Pune FC), Mehtab Hossain (East Bengal), Francisco Fernandes (Salgaocar), Alwyn George (Pailan Arrows), Jewel Raja Shaikh (Mohun Bagan), Clifford Miranda (Dempo).

FORWARDS: Sunil Chhetri (Churchill Brothers- on loan from Sporting Lisbon ‘B’) Robin Singh (East Bengal), Jeje Lalpekhlua (Pune FC).