Indian National Head Coach Stephen Constantine announced his preliminary squad for India’s forthcoming 2018 World Cup Preliminary Joint Qualification matches against Oman and Guam respectively. A list of 38 probables was announced and is subject to further reduction following the completion of the ongoing Hero I-League campaign. A reduced list comprising of 26 players will be reporting to a camp in Bengaluru on June 3 alongside the support staff. Practice sessions will kick-off the following day as India prepare to host Oman at the Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru on June 11. They will play their second match against Guam in Guam on 16 June. Constantine believes that these Qualifiers will provide the team with an opportunity to share the field with the best. “We are on the platform where we wanted to be. We are now competing against the best Teams in Asia and it’s the stage for the best Teams to compete against each other.” He opined to www.the-aiff.com. “We have selected a group of players that have impressed for their respective Clubs in the last two-three months. The list would be brought down to 26 for the preparatory Camp,” he said. India have been grouped with Iran, Oman, Turkmenistan and Guam in Group D The list of 38 probables announced is listed as follows: GOALKEEPERS: Subrata Paul, Arindam Bhattacharya, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Sanjiban Ghosh.DEFENDERS: Rino Anto, Lalchhuanmawia, Reagan Singh, Lalhmangaihsanga, Pritam Kotal, Dhanachandra Singh, Robert Lalthlamuana, Arnab Mondal, Gurwinder Singh, Sandesh Jhingan, Augustin Fernandes, Aiborlang Khongjee. MIDFIELDERS: Cavin Lobo, Mohammed Rafique, Eugenson Lyngdoh, CK Vineeth, Godwin Franco, Jackichand Singh, Saityasen Singh, Sehnaj Singh, Dhanapal Ganesh, Mandar Rao Desai, Francis Fernandes, Germanpreet Singh, Harmanjot Singh Khabra, Rowlin Borges, Bikash Jairu. FORWARDS: Sunil Chhetri, Robin Singh, Holicharan Narzary, Jeje Lalpekhlua, Thongkhosien Haokip, Sumit Passi, Lalchhawnkima.
