India squad for Asian Games announced Bryce Miranda, Azfar Noorani get call-up

by Chittu Shetty September 13, 2023

The AIFF has announced a 17-member men’s squad for the Asian Games in China, Mumbai lads Bryce Miranda and Azfar Noorani both feature in it

With clubs refusing to release players for the upcoming Asian Games, AIFF has decided to release a second set of squad after a discussion with ISL Clubs and FSDL.

Two Mumbai lads Bryce Miranda and Azfar Noorani have received the National call up. Both boys came through the youth leagues of the city playing for the now defunct I-League club Mumbai FC’s youth team. Miranda later earned his reputation as a deadly winger for Income Tax in MFA Elite Division, before playing for Churchill Brothers in the I-League for two seasons. Miranda joined Kerala Blasters FC ahead of the Hero ISL 2022-23 season. Azhar Noorani on the other hand came through the Mumbai Elite division entirely playing for clubs like Air India, KSA and eventually played I-League for Kenkre FC.

While announcing the squad, the AIFF expressed its thanks to clubs in the Indian Super League and the FSDL for coordinating with the national body for the release of players in the Asian Games.

AIFF President Mr Kalyan Chaubey said, “It has been a hectic time for Indian football season this time. We have a tight schedule within a short period of time that was not easy to manage.

“There have been too many things happening, both at the domestic and the international level, involving India’s National Teams, as well as the ISL clubs. While the Senior National Men’s Team successfully completed playing a series of matches, they are also awaiting to play the Asian Games, followed by Merdeka Cup, World Cup Qualifiers, and the AFC Asian Cup,” he said.

The AIFF President pointed out that things are busy on the domestic front too. The clubs are busy, not only in the top domestic league with an increased number of matches but a few clubs are also committed to playing in Asian competitions.

“We must remember that there are general elections coming, and to avoid the adverse weather conditions in certain parts of the country, we had to adjust the schedule, and shorten the domestic calendar to an extent so that these things don’t hamper the quality of the games and put unnecessary pressure on the players.

“There were situations which were unavoidable and demanded a great balancing act. It was never easy, but at the same time, I must reach out to FSDL and the clubs, thanking them for making it possible. The Indian National Team are going to the Asian Games after a nine-year gap, and it has become possible because of the active support the Indian Football received from the Government of India, especially the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports,” said the AIFF President. He once again thanked the Government of India and the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports for their support to Indian football and utmost cooperation.

Mr Chaubey expressed confidence that the Indian team will perform creditably in the Asian Games and will take Indian Football forward.

The Squad: Gurmeet Singh, Dheeraj Singh Moirangthem, Sumit Rathi, Narender Gahlot, Amarjit Singh Kiyam, Samuel James, Rahul KP, Abdul Rabeeh Anjukandan, Ayush Dev Chhetri, Bryce Miranda, Azfar Noorani, Rahim Ali, Vincy Bareto, Sunil Chhetri, Rohit Danu, Gurkirat Singh, Aniket Jadhav.

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