SHILLONG: The All India Football Federation announced the squad that will represent India at the U-19 AFC Championship Qualifiers, which will be held in Doha, Qatar, from October 4.
The North East is well-represented in the 23-members squad and three of the players are members of the Shillong Lajong FC Academy.
The three are Rupert Nongrum, Shairborlang Kharpan and Nim Dorjee Tamang.
Earlier, five Shillong Lajong boys were part of the National Camp, which included Jacob, Zodingliana, Rupert, Shaibor and Nim Dorjee.
The five boys also travelled to China in July for an exposure trip ,which lasted 15 days.
The U-19 boys played two friendly matches against the Chinese U-19 national team, and this time around, Rupert, Shaiborlang and Nim Dorjee have been called up again to don national colours.
India have been clubbed with hosts Qatar, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Nepal in Group A and will reach Doha on Sunday.
The three boys who were selected for the final squad said on the SLFC website, “We are very happy, proud and excited to represent the U-19 Indian National Team. We have a big challenge ahead of us and we will give our best performance and try to make our country proud.”
Club Managing Director/CEO Larsing Ming Sawyan said, “This development is indeed a just reward of all the efforts that have gone towards moulding our boys for the future. We, as a club, are really happy and it shows indeed that our Youth Development Goal 14 project is moving towards a positive direction.
“We wish the boys the best of luck for the tournament”.
Squad: Chinmaya Shekhar Behera, Supratim Bhattacharjee, Vishal Kaith, Gurba Gagrai, Nim Dorjee Tamang, Pawan Kumar, Sarthak Golui, Sajid Mohd. Dhot, Soraisam Pritam Kumar Singh, Rupert Nongrum, Souvik Das, Joseph Lalfakzuala, Germanpreet Singh, Alen Deory, Lalramzauva Khiangte, Isaac Vanmalsawma Chhakchhuak, Lalrempuia Fanai, Kumam Udanta Singh, SK Faiaz, Daniel Lalhlimpuia, Naro Hari Shreshtha, Shaiborlang Kharpan, Uttam Rai.
Head Coach: Colm Joseph Toal.
Fixtures: India will play Qatar on October 4, Nepal on October 6, Uzbekistan on October 10 and Turkmenistan on October 12.