Team leaves for Caribbean on 13th
The Indian National Football Team would be leaving for the Tour to Caribbean on August 13, 2011. Concerned over the security of the players, the All India Football Federation had deferred the departure as the squad was earlier supposed to stay overnight in London. The revised travel schedule does have London in its itinerary but the team won’t be staying in London. The team leaves Delhi for Kolkata on Saturday from where they board a flight to Dubai at 8.30pm. Expressing his happiness, the All India Football Federation General Secretary Mr. Kushal Das said: “It’s great the Tour is happening. We wish the team the very best for the event.” National Coach Armando Coalco lauded the AIFF for getting the tour arranged. “I must thank the administration of the AIFF. Getting an alternate travel arrangement for so many at the 11th hour is never an easy task,” he commented. However, a heavy downpour did rob the team of a practice session on Friday afternoon; the players staying content in gym sessions and spending time in the swimming pool. Armando added: “This side has huge potential and needs to be groomed. It’s necessary to expose them to play against stronger sides. I have never seen National Team players playing so well.” Striker Sunil Chhetri who has been named for the Arjuna Award said everyone is raring to go. “It’s not every day that one gets to play higher-ranked sides. The entire bunch is looking forward to the tour.” The National Team is slated to play three International Friendlies on the following days: 1. Vs St Kitts and Nevis -- August 17, 2011. 2. Vs Guyana -- August 21, 2011. 3. Vs Trinidad and Tobago -- August 24, 2011. The kick-off timings would be intimated later. Following is the list of 23 Players and the eight Officials who would be travelling for the tour: * * *Goalkeepers:* Subrata Pal, Karanjit Singh, Laxmikant Kattimani. * * *Defenders:* Valeriano Rebello, Raju Gaikwad, Gourmangi Singh, Mahesh Gawli, Rowilson Rodrigues, Debabrata Roy, Robert Lalthalmuana, Samir Naik. * * *Midfielfders:* Climax Lawrence, Steven Dias, Peter Carvalho, Clifford Miranda, Lalrindika Ralte, Rocus Lamare, Mehtab Hosain, Rahim Nabi. * * *Forwards: *Sunil Chhetri, Jeje Lalpeklua, Sushil Singh, S Sabeeth. * * *Chief Coach:* Armando Colaco * * *Assistant Coach:* Savio Mediara. * * *Goalkeeping Coach:* Marcus Pacheco. * * *Physical Trainer:* Suresh Babu. * * *Doctor:* Sandeep Kumar. * * *Physio:* Vishnu Nair. * * *Masseur:* Liaqat Ali. * * *Team Manager:* Mandhar Tamhane.