India to play Palestine in an International friendly match

[Srinivas]

Arata Izumi named in 23-member squad for Palestine friendly


Pune FC’s Arata Izumi has been rewarded for his prolific form this season by India coach Wim Koevermans as he has been named in the 23-member roster for the international friendly against Palestine to be played on February 6 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kochi.

A Japanese citizen until last year, Arata, who was born to an Indian father and a Japanese mother, got his Indian passport just before the commencement of the 2012-13 I-League season and now holds an Indian name, Neelkhant Khambholja.

Goalkeeper Subhasish Roychowdhury of Dempo has been dropped in favour of Churchill Brothers’ in-form custodian, the 38-year old Sandip Nandy. The East Bengal trio of Robin Singh, Gurwinder Singh and Sanju Pradhan, who has been injured, are not part of the squad that was named for the international friendly against Yemen in November last year.

Apart from Arata and Nandy, Gurjinder Kumar, Raju Gaikwad, Lalkamal Bhowmick and Sushil Kumar have made it into the elite list. Prayag United’s CK Vineeth has been named for the first time into the India squad after being consistent in his performances with Prayag United and Chirag Kerala last season.
Taking over the mantle from East Bengal, Eelco Schattorie's Prayag United have the maximum representation in the national team with four players in CK Vineeth, Subrata Paul, Gouramangi Moirangthem and Lalkamal Bhowmick.

The Dutchman under whom India had won the Nehru Cup in September 2012, reiterated the importance of the game for India. “Such games will go a long way in helping us assess ourselves and improve for such matches in the future,” said Koevermans.

SQUAD:

GOALKEEPERS: Subrata Paul (Prayag United), Sandip Nandy (Churchill Brothers), Karanjit Singh (Salgaocar).

DEFENDERS: Nirmal Chettri (Mohun Bagan), Gouramangi Moirangthem (Prayag United), Shouvik Ghosh (Pailan Arrows), Syed Rahim Nabi (Mohun Bagan), Gurjinder Kumar (Pune FC), Raju Gaikwad (East Bengal), Denzil Franco (Churchill Brothers).

MIDFIELDERS: Lenny Rodrigues (Churchill Brothers), Lalkamal Bhowmick (Prayag United), Arata Izumi (Pune FC), Mehtab Hussain (East Bengal), Francis Fernandes (Salgaocar), Anthony Pereira (Dempo SC), Alwyn George (Pailan Arrows), Jewel Raja (Mohun Bagan), Clifford Miranda (Dempo SC), Vineet CK (Prayag United).

FORWARDS: Sunil Chhetri (Sporting Lisbon), Manandeep Singh (East Bengal), Sushil Kumar Singh (Shillong Lajong FC).


STANDBYS: Subhashish Roychowdhury (Dempo SC), Dhanachandra Singh (Prayag United), Sandesh Jhingan (USFC), Arnab Mondal (East Bengal), Gurwinder Singh (East Bengal), Rocus Lamare (Salgaocar SC), Lalrindika Ralte (East Bengal), Peter Carvalho (Dempo SC), Tomba Singh (Churchill Brothers), Asif K (Prayag United), Malswamtulunga (Prayag United), Joaquim Abranches (Dempo SC), Robin Singh (East Bengal), Jeje Lalpekhlua (Pune FC)

Arata Izumi named in 23-member squad for Palestine friendly - Goal.com

 

[SpArK]

It’s a match between friends

GETTING READY: The Palestine team practising at the Nehru Stadium in Kochi ahead of its match against India on Wednesday.

The Indian football team may be working hard for the February 6 international football friendly here but its opponent Palestine is just looking at it as a match between friends.

In fact, the Palestine team extended a warm hand of friendship to India soon after its arrival at the Nehru Stadium, the match venue, here on Monday evening.

“This is a very important game for us, that’s clear,” said Abdallah Alfara, the Palestine team’s Head of Delegation. “But, we are not looking to win. If India wins, that’s good for us. If we win, that’s good for India. We are friends, this is a friendly game.”


And the visiting team has decided not to insist on some of its heavyweights, playing in professional leagues in Argentina, Chile, Jordan and Egypt, coming for the Kochi game.

“We have more than 12 professional players playing in professional leagues outside but only two (captain Abadal Latif Albahdari and Ashraf Alfawaghra) are here,” said the visiting team’s HoD. “We have not invited the others because if we invite them, our local players will not get a chance,” said Alfara. “For us, it’s better to invite the local players to prepare them for the AFC Challenge Cup (in Nepal in March).”

“The Challenge Cup is not on FIFA dates and if it’s not on FIFA dates, you cannot ask the (foreign) clubs to send your players. So, it’s better for us to start with our local players for the Challenge Cup.”

That could be very good news for India which is hungry gain some points to lift it a few rungs in the World rankings from No. 166. Palestine is ranked 152nd.

The Palestine team is a young side, with a few of them around 18 and 19 and with an average age of 23.

Just six of them figured in the team which played the West Asian Championship in Kuwait a few months ago.

The Palestinians also used the opportunity to invite India for the Al Naqba Cup — the Palestine International Cup — in May this year.


The Hindu : Sport / Football : It

 

[Cherokee]

India knows how to Maintain people to people cooperation . It is much more Important that diplomatic cooperation in the long run as we saw in U.S. and now doing same in china , ME and Africa .

 

[SpArK]

The first international match of Palestine , after it was declared independent by United nations.

 

[Backbencher]

My all the support to the Indian football team .
On a side note i just beat France playing with India in Fifa 13
Chettri and Miranda on the score sheet

 

[kingkobra]

Live Streaming

India vs Palestine Friendly Match | Live streaming and highlights | iStream

 

[kingkobra]

India 1- 0 Palestine

17:20 Minutes

 

[kingkobra]

India 1-1 Palestine

29.38th Minute

 

[kingkobra]

India 2-1 Palestine

38th Minute

 

[SpArK]

INDIA 2-1 PALESTINE *CLIFFORD MIRANDA GAVE THE LEAD WITH SCORCHER OF A GOAL FROM INSIDE THE BOX.

 

[Iggy]

What a crowd!!

 

[Marshmallow]

supporting Palestine Ofcourse!

 

[Marshmallow]

 

[SpArK]

2-2.........................

2-3 palestine leads....

 

[Backbencher]

I was wondering why is Chettri off pace today . He is unable to do anything with the ball