India aims for 3rd Nehru Cup, Chhetri among probables

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Star striker Sunil Chhetri has been named among the Indian probables for the forthcoming Nehru Cup which will kick off at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium from August 22 here.

Among the 27 probables, only Chhetri hasn't joined the preparatory camp at the KSFA stadium in Bangalore as yet.

Recent reports in the media had suggested that Chhetri might have been dropped as he would not be able to join the camp at an earlier date.

"I'm happy that we got confirmation from his club on his release on August 12 and that leaves us get enough time to work with the player to prepare ourselves for the Nehru Cup," said newly-appointed coach Wim Koevermans.

The AIFF has received written assurances from Chhetri's side that he will be joining the camp on August 12.

The AIFF Player-of-the-Year is presently playing for his Portuguese Club Sporting Lisbon. The Nehru Cup this year will celebrate 75 years of the All India Football Federation's existence and it will certainly be a special moment if the Blue Tigers win the tournament.

The national side coached by Dutch international Wim Koevermans will look to wrap up a hat-trick of Nehru Cups after winning it back to back in 2007 and 2009 respectively when they beat Syria in the finals on both occasions. The 27-member list stays as follows:

GOALKEEPERS: Subrata Pal, Subhasish Roychowdhury, Karanjeet Singh.

DEFENDERS: Nirmal Chhetri, Denzil Franco, Gourmangi Singh, Gurwinder Singh, Raju Gaikwad, Khelemba Meitei, Syed Rahim Nabi, Mohan Raj.

MIDFIELDERS: Mehtab Hossain, Rocus Lamare, Milan Singh, Baldeep Singh, Jewel Raja, Francis Fernandes, Alwyn George, Anthony Pereira, Gilbert Oliviera, Sanju Pradhan, Clifford Miranda, Joaquim Abranches.

FORWARDS: Robin Singh, Sunil Chhetri, Manandeep Singh, Jeje Lalpekhlua.