Savio Medeira makes thirteen changes in India squad for the Challenge Cup

Savio Medeira made as many as thirteen changes to the Indian squad that last assembled for the match against Bayern Munich as he announced the thirty member probables for the Challenge Cup which kicks-off in Nepal on March 8, 2012.

With Jeje Lalpekhlua and Subrata Paul ruled out of the competition due to injuries, Medeira also chose to ‘drop’ the now former skipper Climax Lawrence, which eventually led to him announcing his retirement from international football on a bitter note.

Among the others who were axed from the squad included Felix D’Souza, Govin Moirangthem, Rakesh Masih and Jaspal Singh. Steven Dias, Mehtab Hussain and Sanju Pradhan have once again failed to make it into the elite list.

Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, who was the focal point of East Bengal fan's ire after the injury time goal conceded against Prayag United on Tuesday in an I-League match, has been included in the squad and as is Arindam Bhattacharya. Anwar Ali, Anthony Pereira and Joaquim Abranches who have have been recalled.

Anwar Ali Is Back

Francis Fernandes, who had impressed in the friendly against Malaysia, once again finds his way into the list while Lester Fernandes, Lenny Rodrigues, Kingshuk Debnath, Manandeep Singh, Arnab Mondal and Manish Maithani have been rewarded for their decent performances in the I-League.

Raju Gaikwad has recovered well from his injury and made it into the team as well.

Interestingly, Mohun Bagan have as many as six players on the list with Dempo SC coming in second with five.

Goalkeepers: Karanjit Singh (Salgaocar), Subhasish Roy Chowdhury (Dempo SC), Arindam Bhattacharya (Churchill Brothers), Gurpreet Singh Sandhu  (East Bengal).

Defenders: Nirmal Chettri, Raju Gaikwad (East Bengal), Sameer Naik (Dempo SC), Gouramangi Moirangthem (Churchill Brothers), Anwar Ali, Kingsukh Debnath, Syed Rahim Nabi (Mohun Bagan), Arnab Mondal (Prayag United), Gurjinder Singh (Pune FC).

Midfielders: Adil Khan (Sporting Clube de Goa), Anthony Pereira, Clifford Miranda (Dempo), Reisangmi Vashum (East Bengal), Baldeep Singh, Lester Fernandes (Pune FC), Rocus Lamare, Francis Fernandes (Salgaocar), Jewel Raja, Manish Mathani (Mohun Bagan), Lenny Rodrigues, Lalrindika Ralte (Churchill Brothers).

Forwards: Sunil Chhetri (Mohun Bagan), Sushil Singh (Shillong Lajong FC – on loan), CS Sabeeth (Pailan Arrows), Manandeep Singh (Air India), Joaquim Abranches (Dempo SC).