Former Mumbai FC forward Hitesh Sharma has been included in the preliminary squad for the forthcoming AFC Asian Cup Qualifier match against Myanmar. Chief national coach Stephen Constantine announced the 28-member squad, which is camping in the city again for the forthcoming AFC Asian Cup Qualifier match against Myanmar.
The six-day preparatory camp began at Mumbai Football Arena on Monday. The squad will be camping in Mumbai till November 11 and proceed to Goa the next day. The match against Myanmar is slated for November 14, the kick-off of which is at 8 pm.
The 19-year-old Sharma rose through the ranks in the Mumbai FC junior team under former coach Khalid Jamil and made appearances in the Mumbai FC senior team as well in the last couple of seasons.
He was part of the 23-member Indian U-23 national team coached by Constantine along with Mumbaikar Nikhil Poojary for International Friendlies against the Singapore U-23 National Team in July. The duo later played in the AFC U-23 qualifiers in Doha where India were clubbed with hosts Qatar, Turkmenistan and Syria.
Later, Sharma was among 11 players who represented India in the AFC U-23 qualifiers in Doha to be included in the preliminary squad of 28 for India’s AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Macau in Bengaluru on October 11. The squad had a 10-day training session in Mumbai also.
Poojary, who made it to the senior team earlier isn’t part of the current probables list as he and Rowllin Borges are injured and have hence, are ruled out for the match against Myanmar.
Mumbai City FC goalkeeper Amrinder Singh and striker Balwant Singh who finished preseason training in Valencia for the Indian Super League Season four, are also part of the India senior team probables list.
India have already qualified for the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 and sit pretty on 12 points by virtue of winning all their four matches so far. The last time the two teams met in Yangon, India won by a solitary goal margin, a gem of a goal scored by captain Sunil Chhetri.
“We may have already qualified for the Asian Cup but that doesn’t mean we will take this game lightly. It’s time to work hard again and am looking forward to working with the boys.” Constantine said.
