Top five new faces called up for Indian football team for March international break 2025

India’s head coach, Manolo Marquez, has brought in three new faces from FC Goa for AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers!

The Indian football team is set to play two games in March against Maldives and Bangladesh. The game on 19th March against Maldives is a friendly. However, after that, the Blue Tigers begin their AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers against Bangladesh on 25th March.

Seeking their first win in over a year, the Blue Tigers need to win their group to make it to the tournament in Saudi Arabia. Apart from Bangladesh, India will also play Hong Kong and Singapore, who have been drawn in Group C.

As expected, Manolo Marquez has added new blood to his squad before the upcoming games. Here are the four new faces that will don the Indian colours for the first time:

Abhishek Tekcham Singh

Abhishek Tekcham Singh has been a standout player for the Shers this year in ISL 2024-25. The youngster has put in some spirited performances in the league and has become a mainstay in the starting line up. He has played in 22 of the 24 matches for Punjab FC, clocking 1957 minutes. Abhishek, who has been called up as a replacement for Asish Rai, brings in the much-needed agility and pace to the lineup. Defensively speaking, the Punjab FC product had made 47 interceptions and 51 clearances, won 33 tackles. Although he has kept only two clean sheets, this could be a much-needed experience for him.

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Ayush Chhetri

FC Goa’s Ayush Chhetri has impressed for Manolo Marquez’s Indian Super League club this season. Hence, it is no surprise that the 21-year-old has received a call-up to the Indian national football team.

Ayush Chhetri has started 14 of the 21 games that he has played for FC Goa this season and has become a fixture in their midfield. Overall, the youngster has scored 1 goal and provided 2 assists in 1200 minutes of playing time.

Apart from his attacking output, Ayush has also made 62 recoveries, 9 interceptions, and won 57 duels to help his team defensively. Marquez certainly rates the youngster highly, but it has to be seen if the midfielder will get a place in the starting XI.

Boris Singh Thangjam

Playing on FC Goa’s right wing, Boris Singh Thangjam is another Gaur that has shone bright under Manolo Marquez. The 25-year-old has 1 goal and 1 assist to his name this season, having started 22 ISL games for his club.

Boris Singh’s inclusion will bring much needed versatility to the Indian squad as the Manipur-born player can play as a right back and as a right winger, as seen with his club this season.

Defensively, the FC Goa star has made 94 recoveries, 16 interceptions, and has won 76 duels in the league season. Overall, Boris has the experience of playing close to 90 ISL games and this should certainly help him ahead of joining the national camp.

Also Read: India name squad for March International Window; Sunil Chhetri is back, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu left out

Brison Fernandes

Brison Fernandes has arguably been the best Indian player in the ISL this season. Another FC Goa player, playing under Manolo Marquez, the Goan winger has shown a promising rise and is currently the second-highest goalscorer for his club this season.

The 23-year-old has made FC Goa’s left wing his own, scoring 7 goals and providing 2 assists in 22 ISL games. Brison is also the second-highest Indian goalscorer in the ISL this season, only behind Sunil Chhetri, who has also announced his return to the Indian national football team.

Apart from scoring important goals, Brison Fernandes has also created 26 chances and made 70 recoveries for the club this season, showing his importance at FC Goa. Can the youngster become a fixture with the Blue Tigers in the coming years?

Gurmeet Singh

There has been an interesting switch in the Indian goalkeeping department as Gurpreet Singh Sandhu has been omitted from the squad entirely. NorthEast United’s Gurmeet Singh has been brought in as the replacement as the shotstopper is inducted into the Indian team setup for the first time.

Gurmeet Singh has had a decent ISL campaign so far this season, having kept 7 cleansheets. The 25-year-old has made 67 saves and has conceded 29 goals in 23 league games, having an important impact with his club.

It is expected that Mohun Bagan’s Vishal Kaith will start both the games for the national team in March. However, Gurmeet is expected to be second in line as the coach, Manolo Marquez, will surely have a close eye on who should be India’s next long-term goalkeeper.

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