World Cup qualifier
SHILLONG: Royal Wahingdoh FC’s star striker Jackichand Singh and Shillong Lajong FC defender Aiborlang Khongjee were on Wednesday named in the list of 32 probables for India’s forthcoming home and away matches for the preliminary joint qualification round 1 for the 2018 FIFA World Cup against Nepal.
The matches would be played on a home and away format and India will first host Nepal on March 12 at the Indira Gandhi Athletics Stadium in Sajusarai, Guwahati while the return leg is slated to be played in Nepal on March 17.
The squad would be further shortlisted to 26 after the completion of round 8 matches of the ongoing Hero Indian I-League. The shortlisted 26 would be reporting to the camp in Guwahati from March 4 onwards.
While Aibor is no new face to the Indian side, Jacki, who is a product of RWFC’s youth academy, will for the first time vie for a spot in the national side.
He has been associated with the Royals since 2009 when he made his debut in the First Division. A star performer for Wahingdoh, Jacki has delivered time and again for the I-League debutants and has also made his presence felt at the top flight of Indian football. Jacki scored his first goal of the I-League in RWFC’s tie against city rivals Shillong Lajong FC.
Apart from them another Shillong lad Eugeneson Lyngdoh has found place in the list of 32 probables.The former Lajong and Rangdajied player, is currently playing for Bengaluru FC in the I-League.
“With the help of Savio Medeira and Venkatesh we first registered the list of 50 Players and then Venky and myself sat down to select 32 players for the Camp,” National football coach Stephen Constantine said after announcing the list on Wednesday.
“We hope to send a message to everybody who has an Indian nationality that they have a chance to play for the national team. I am really excited and looking forward to it.”
RWFC, Lajong players in AFC U-23 probable list
Meanwhile, Royal Wahingdoh’s Nadong Bhutia and Lajong’ Nimdorjee Tamang and Seiminlen Doungel have been named in the list of 32 players who would be reporting to the preparatory camp in Goa (from March 1) for the AFC U-23 Championship slated to be played in Dhaka from March 27. (With inputs from PTI)