Raju Gaikwad to lead Pre-Olympic side

New Delhi: Defender Raju Gaikwad has been named captain for Indian football team`s pre-Olympic qualifier against Qatar.

India play Qatar on June 19 at the Al Sadd Stadium in Doha and at the Balewadi Sports Complex, Pune on June 23. The under-23 Indian squad underwent a short preparatory camp in Pune ahead of the qualifiers. While admitting that a tough challenge awaits them, coach Desmond Bulpin expressed confidence of a good showing from his wards. "I am not saying we will win, but can win. It`s a tough task, no doubt," he had said.The middle-east nation is ranked 92, 52 places above India in FIFA rankings. Squad: Goalkeepers: Laxmikant Kattimani (Dempo SC), Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (Indian Arrows). Defenders: Raju Eknath Gaikwad (Capt.), Deepak Devrani, Abhishek Das (all Indian Arrows); Arnab Mondal (Chirag United), Saba Saleel (ONGC). Midfielders: Jewel Raja Sheikh, Shilton Sydney D’Silva, Kh. Jibon Singh, Lalrindika Ralte (all Indian Arrows); Gurjinder Kumar (Pune FC), Snehasis Chakraborthy (McDowell Mohun Bagan), Anthony Barbosa (Salgaocar SC), Zakir Mundampara (Churchill Brothers).Forwards: Jeje Lalpekhlua, Manandeep Singh (both Indian Arrows); CS Sabeeth (Viva Kerala). PTI