Defending champions India made a disastrous start to their AFC Challenge Cup campaign, going down 0-2 to Tajikistan in Kathmandu, on Friday.
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 struck two late goals as they beat Pakistan 3-1 in their second league match of the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers to book a place in the final round of the tournament, in Kuala Lumpur.
Climax Lawrence struck in injury time to take India to a 1-0 victory over Afghanistan in their first match of the AFC Challenge Cup at the Gachibowli Stadium in Hyderabad on Wednesday.
Indian football Coach Savio Medeira is hoping that his boys will not repeat the past mistakes when they take on Philippines in the AFC Challenge Cup, in Kathmandu on Sunday.
As India bowed out of the AFC Challenge Cup after a second straight defeat, coach Savio Medeira rued the lack of opportunities for strikers to improve because of a flawed strategy of I-League clubs.
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