The camp is aimed at helping the Blue Tigers prepare for their two 2027 Asian Cup Qualifiers final round in Group C, where they will play two back-to-back matches against Singapore on October 9 at the National Stadium and on October 14 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Margao, Goa.
Punjab FC stun Bengaluru FC 5-4 in penalty shootout to seal maiden Super Cup semi berth
Sunil Chhetri returns to the national team,
Marquez also confirmed Chhetri's involvement in the friendly match that will mark his 152nd cap for India.
The squad announcement also marks the return of East Bengal's dependable central defender Anwar Ali, who had been sidelined since February due to a hamstring injury. He last featured in competitive action against Bengaluru FC in the ISL.
India are placed in Group C of the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Final Round qualifiers along with Bangladesh, Hong Kong, China and Singapore. The matches will be being played on a home-and-away round-robin format.
The Indian senior men's team have begun their preparations for the upcoming friendly match against Vietnam, and head coach Manolo Mrquez believes his wards are in better physical shape now than in the September window.
India, who made it to two successive Asian Cups for the first time in 2023, are aiming to extend the streak. Hong Kong also qualified for the previous tournament, but with only one available berth, either side is bound to miss out.
Better late than never! That's the thought on Manipuris minds as they gear up to host their first ever international tournament from Wednesday.
