Panaji: Four FC Goa players have been selected in the 25-member India squad to face Guam in the next round of 2018 World Cup qualifiers to be played on November 12 in Bengaluru.
These players are Laxmikant Kattimani, Narayan Das, Pronay Halder and Romeo Fernandes.
As part of the country’s battle to make it to the next round of 2018 World Cup qualifiers as well as a slot in the 2019 Asian Championships, and since the start of the Indian Super League (ISL) season 2, Indian national team coach Stephen Constantine has selected Das and Halder in the last two matches against Turkmenistan (away) and Oman (away).
FC Goa goalkeeper Kattimani has certainly caught the attention of Constantine with his good performance in the ISL so far, while the Blue Tigers’ gaffer has also added the name of right-winger Fernandes for the next match.
“I thank the coach (Constantine) for having faith in me. I have been working hard in the ISL for FC Goa and I will be more than willing to give my best for the country,” said the custodian, who has fond memories of representing in the India U-23 team at the 2010 Asian Games and yet to make his senior team debut.
Fernandes got three starts in seven matches under Zico with FC Goa in this season’s ISL, but the Goan posterboy always vows to give his best.
He commented, “Whenever I play, if it is for my club or country, I want to give my best.” “It is tough but we will fight till the end,” added Halder, who has been on the bench for the last two matches. (PTI)
