http://oheraldo.in/node/9058
Only two Goans in Nayeem's list Two others are stand-byes: Asia Cup HERALD SPORTS REPORTER PANJIM, JAN 27 – Controversial Mohun Bagan goalkeeper Subrata Paul is among the probables for India's Asian Cup qualifier against Japan, on February 22. India coach Syed Nayeemuddin has submitted a 27-member list to the All India Football Federation, retaining most of those who were part of the successful SAFF Cup squad. Subrata Paul, vilified for the on-field death of Brazilian striker Cristiano Junior, and integrity questioned for letting four goals against East Bengal, gets duly rewarded. Nayeemuddin believes Subrata Paul remains a talented, and hugely promising, goalkeeper despite all the controversies. New faces include Parveen Kumar (JCT), Sanjeev Maria, A S Firoze (both Mohun Bagan), Jayanta Sen (East Bengal) and Saji D'Silva (Services), all of whom have a decent chance to impress Nayeemuddin's and make the grade. Dempo Sports Club captain Samir Naik has been recalled to the National side while Sporting Clube de Goa goalkeeper is the only other Goan to have got the nod. Santosh Trophy Player of the tournament Nicholas Rodrigues (Sporting Clube de Goa) and Vasco Sports Club defender Cedric Peixoto who impressed Nayeem during the Federation Cup are among the seven stand-byes. The probables list makes for the tough Asian Cup qualifier some interesting reading. Mahindra United striker Abhishek Yadav who hasn't played a single game for Mahindra in the National Football League finds a place while Sporting Clube midfielder Bibiano Fernandes, a consistent performer for a long time now, continues to be ignored for no plausible reason. The camp will commence in New Delhi on February 6. The probables are as follows: Goalkeepers: Sandip Nandy, Kalyan Chaubey, Felix D'Souza, Israt Kamal, Subrata Paul Defenders: Surkumar Singh, Mahesh Gowali, N S Manju, A S Firoze, Muttah Suresh, Samir Naik, Anupam Sarkar, Sanjeev Maria, K Ajayan. Midfielders: Shanmugham Venkatesh, Steven Dias, James Singh, Mehtab Hossein, Mehrajuddin Wadoo, Manjit Singh, Jayanta Sen. Forwards: Bhaichung Bhutia, Syed Rahim Nabi, Abdul Hakim, Abhishek Yadav, Parveen Kumar, Saji D'Silva. Stand-Byes: Rajat Ghosh Dastidar, Billifong Nazari, Cedric Peixoto, A Mondal, Habib-ur-Rehman, Nicholas Rodrigues, Sampat Kuttymani. -- Salaam ali kum. Gabe Menezes. London, England