N Pradeep to lead India in AFC Challenge Cup

Kolkata, Mar 30 (UNI) In order to give proper exposure and experience, a young 20-member Indian Team will participate in the AFC Challenge Cup to be played in Bangladesh from April 1 to 16.

India will play their matches in Chittagong.

The team will be captained by N P Pradeep of SBT and the vice- captain will be Xavier Vijay Kumar of HAL. Incidentally 10 of the players in the side come from Jharkhand. No player from Bengal and only two from Goa, places which are considered to be the hotspots for Indian soccer, could make it to the side.

''The participation in the AFC Challenge Cup 2006 was planned to give adequate exposure to junior players and with the sole aim to prepare for the AFC Youth Championship 2006 to be held in India from October 29 this year,'' AIFF Secretary Alberto Colaco told UNI today.

''Except three, all the players are below 20. The senior players who made it to the Indian team are from II Division NFL clubs and all of them are in the probables list for the preparation for the Asian Games 2006 to be held in Doha from December 1,'' he added.

He said no players from the ongoing 1st Division NFL have been included in the team.

''The AIFF felt that by participating in this tournament the Indian U-20 players would gain experience at the International level. Junior teams from China, Korea and Japan participate in the senior tournaments. This gives them more exposure. We have to try on an even keel and this is the beginning of the experiments we need to do to push Indian soccer forward,'' he said.

India is placed in Group A of the competition along with Chinese Taipei, Philippines and Afghanistan. India will meet Afghanistan in their opener on April 1. India play Philippines on April 3 and Chinese Taipei two days later.

The Team: Baldeep Singh(Punjab), Reisangmi Vashum(Manipur), Rakesh Masih(TFA), Ong Tshering Lepcha(Sikkim), Arindam Bhattacharja, Vimal Pariyar, Hirohito Elangbam, Lalramluaha, Rino Anto, Lalawampuia Pachuau, Khanthang Paite, Shilton Paul, Parwinder Singh, Warun Deep (all Jharkhand), Bungo Thokchom Singh(Goa), Zaidinmawia Hmar, Lalmalsawma Hamar (both Mizoram), Xavier Vijay Kumal (HAL) Pappachan Pradeep (SBT), Shafeeq Pulparambil(Kerala).

Stand by: Malswamdawngliana(Mizoram), Lavino Fernandez(Goa), Shaji D'Silva (SSCB).

Officials: Islam Akhmedov (Chief Coach), K Birbal Singh (Assistant Coach), Hemanta Dora (Goalkeeper Coach), Borkynsai Diengdoh (Manager) and Dr. Manabendra Bhattacharyya (Team Doctor).

UNI BA/SRC PM KP1154