ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and India will meet each other in a Group B match of the 4th AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers at the MBJP Stadium, Petaling Jaya on March 23.
“We have idea about India's strengths. They were among top 16 teams of Asia during Qatar's event last Janaury. A big win is required for Pakistan football and the players are motivated to do that. All the boys are fit for the crucial showdown against the arch rivals,” a Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) official told APP.
The top two teams from the tournament will qualify for the final round of the AFC Challenge Cup, which will be held next year. National team coach Tariq Lutfi said the tournament will be a tough one but will serve as good exposure for younger players.
Pakistan lost the first match of the group stage to 3-0 to Turkmenistan and will play its third match against Chinese Taipei on March 25.
Teams:
Pakistan:
Goalkeepers: Amir Gul (NBP), Muhammad Omar (KESC).
Defenders: Manzoor Ahmed (WAPDA), Alamgir Khan (Police), Atif Bashir Qureshi (Barry Town, Wales), Samar Ishaq (KRL) CAP, Zeeshan Rehman (Muangthong United FC, Thailand),
Midfielders: Faisal Iqbal (NBP), Syed Arif Hussain (WAPDA), Muhammad Adil (KRL), Mahmood Khan (KRL), Kashif Mumtaz Siddiqui (Fresno Fuego, USA), Abdul Aziz (NBP) VC, Nasr Ullah Khan (PIA), Adnan Farooq Ahmed (Aboomoslem FC, Iran),
Strikers: Jadeed Khan Pathan (WAPDA), Rizwan Asif (KRL), Kalim Ullah (KRL), Imran Niazi (WAPDA), Arif Mehmood (WAPDA), Muhammad Qasim (KRL).
Coach: Tariq Lutfi
India:
Goalkeepers: Subrata Paul, Gurpreet Singh, Jagroop Singh.
Defenders: Denzil Franco, Gourmangi Singh , Anwar , Mohan Raj, Nirmal Chhetri , Syed Rahim Nabi, Govin Singh, N.S.Manju, Raju Gaikwad.
Midfielders: Steven Dias, Joaquim Abranches, Baldip Singh, Jagpreet Singh, Rakesh Masih, Jewel Raja, Shilton D'Silva.
Strikers: Sunil Chhetri (Captain), Sushil Singh, CS Sabeeth, Jeje Lalpekhulua.
Coach: Robert Douglas Houghton.
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