Kolkata: Punjab FC have announced their 26-member squad for the 132nd Durand Cup ahead of their opening Group-A fixture against Indian Super League (ISL) Cup winners Mohun Bagan Super Giant, which will be played at the Kishore Bharathi Krirangan, here on Monday.
Head coach Staikos Vergetis has named the squad that has a mix of youth and experience for their debut in the Durand Cup.
The squad includes foreigners Luka Majcen, Juan Mera and Kiran Kumar Lindu who had recently extended their contracts after a successful I-League captain.
The squad includes all the new Indian signings, Amarjit Singh Kiyam, Leon Augustine, Prasanth K. Mohan, Melroy Assisi, Nikhil Prabhu, Tejas Krishna, Nitesh Darjee, Kingslee Fernandes, Samuel Lyngdoh Kynshi, Ricky Shabong and Ranjeet Pandre that was made before the start of the season.
Punjab FC will be playing their first competitive match after getting promoted to ISL. The team has been practising in Kolkata ahead of their Durand Cup fixtures.
The club was able to retain its core members who were part of the I-League winning season. Pramveer who was part of the U-17 Indian team in the AFC Asia Cup and Ayush Deshwal have been promoted from the Academy to the senior team.
“Our plan is to present one team with a lot of defensive cohesion, a team that will be compact to avoid any possible chances from the opponent. At the same time, we are working on our offensive transitions to have a competitive game against a very strong side in Mohun Bagan,” said head coach Staikos Vergetis, ahead of the team’s first match.
Luka Majcen will lead the side in the Durand Cup.
“We are looking forward to the game tomorrow, we have a balanced team of players from the last season as well as quite a few exciting new players. We know we are playing against a big club, and though we respect our opponent we will go strong with our plans,” said Luka.
“It is pretty early in the season, so we’d want to see where we stand and evaluate the things we need to improve for the long season ahead,” he added.
Punjab FC squad:
Goalkeepers: Kiran Kumar Limbu (Nepal), Ravi Kumar, Ayush Deshwal
Defenders: Khaiminthang Lhungdim, Tekcham Abhishek Singh, Nikhil Prabhu, Tejas Krishna, Melroy Assisi, Pramveer, Mohammed Salah, Nitesh Darjee
Midfielders: Ricky Shabong, Amarjit Singh Kiyam, Ashis Pradhan, Manglenthang Kipgen, Tongbram Matheson Singh, Brandon Vanlalremdika, Kingslee Fernandes, Prasanth K Mohan, Leon Augustine, Samuel Lyngdoh Kynshi, Krishnananda Singh, Juan Mera (Spain)
Forwards: Ranjeet Singh Pandre, Daniel Lalhlimpuia, Luka Majcen (Slovenia)
–IANS