The Indian senior men’s football team is set to play a one-off friendly match against Vietnam after withdrawal of Lebanon from the planned tri-nation-friendly tournament. The Indian team will face Vietnam at the Thien Truong Stadium in Nam Dịnh, Vietnam, on October 12, 2024. Initially, India was scheduled to play Vietnam on October 9 and Lebanon on October 12, but due to Lebanon’s exit, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) requested the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) to reschedule the match, which will now take place on October 12.
This match is important for both teams as it will count towards the FIFA rankings. India is currently ranked 126th in the world, while Vietnam is ranked 95th. This will be a tough task for the Indian team to beat Vietnam in this match. Coach Manolo Márquez, who took charge of the team in July 2024 after the AIFF sacked Igor Stimac, will stand in his second official match as the head coach of the Indian national football team, after his first test in the Intercontinental Cup.
Blue Tigers announce 26-player squad for friendly against Vietnam
The Blue Tigers will begin their preparations in Kolkata on October 5, with a training session on October 6. After this, the team will travel to Vietnam on October 7. Márquez has announced a list of 26 players, and the final squad of 23 will be picked before the team’s departure.
India’s probable squad for one-off friendly against Vietnam
Goalkeepers: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Amrinder Singh, Vishal Kaith.
Defenders: Nikhil Poojary, Rahul Bheke, Chinglensana Singh Konsham, Anwar Ali, Aakash Sangwan, Subhasish Bose, Asish Rai, Mehtab Singh, Roshan Singh Naorem.
Midfielders: Suresh Singh Wangjam, Lalrinliana Hnamte, Jeakson Singh Thounaojam, Nandhakumar Sekar, Brandon Fernandes, Anirudh Thapa, Liston Colaco, Lalengmawia, Lallianzuala Chhangte.
Forwards: Edmund Lalrindika, Farukh Chaudhary, Manvir Singh, Vikram Partap Singh, Rahim Ali.