3 Indian expatriates join U-20 camp in Goa

New Delhi, July 21 (UNI) Michael Chopra may not be keen to play for India, the land of his origin, but AIFF's plan to lure in talented expatriates is finally bearing fruits as three youngsters, two from Canada and one from Denmark, joined the junior camp in Goa today.

All India Football Federation spokesman BMR Mehta said Simran Singh from Denmark and the Canadian duo of Arvind Narayan and Umesh Kaushal have joined the camp for next month's SAF Games and chief junior coach Islam Akhmedov will assess their potentials.

Simran plays as a midfielder-cum-striker for second division Danish club KFUM in Copenhagen, while Arvind is a winger who plays for Chicago Fire Youth Academy in the United States. He also doubles up as a midfielder and has played for Schwaben AC as well.

Umesh, on the other hand, is a defender at the Illinois State Olympic Development Programme in the USA and has played for Palatine Celtic FC and the Chicago Fire Youth Academy in America.

The federation would complete the necessary formalities to enable the trio represent India if they satisfy the coach.

Meanwhile, AIFF Spokesman BMR Mehta told UNI that national coach Bob Houghton would get in touch with Cardiff City striker Michael Chopra in Vancouver, where India is playing a four-team tournament, and try to convince him to play for India.

''We have read that Chopra is not very keen on that. But nothing is official as yet. The coach is scheduled to meet him either today or tomorrow and only after that we can get a clearer picture,'' Mr Mehta said.

UNI AY DH BD1618