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
First Published: Thursday, June 16, 2011, 10:50