Injured Chhangte Misses National Camp in Shillong
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Synopsis
India's national football team is facing a significant challenge as key forward Lallianzuala Chhangte will miss the ongoing camp in Shillong due to injury. His absence is a critical setback ahead of the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers, while Indian football legend Sunil Chhetri is set to come out of retirement for upcoming matches.
Key Takeaways
- Lallianzuala Chhangte rules out due to injury.
- Chhangte’s absence is a major setback for India.
- Sunil Chhetri comes out of retirement.
- India faces Bangladesh on March 25.
- First-time hosting of the Indian team in Shillong.
New Delhi, March 15 (NationPress) India’s national football team encounters an early challenge ahead of their vital AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers, as essential forward Lallianzuala Chhangte has been sidelined from the current national camp in Shillong due to injury.
Chhangte sustained the injury while competing for Mumbai City FC in the Indian Super League (ISL), leaving his availability for India’s forthcoming international matches against Maldives and Bangladesh later this month in question.
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) made the announcement via social media, confirming that Chhangte will not attend the national camp.
"Lallianzuala Chhangte will not be joining the Indian men’s team camp in Shillong after suffering an injury with his club Mumbai City FC," the Indian Football Team stated on X.
His absence poses a considerable setback to India’s campaign, as the 26-year-old winger has been a key player in the team’s offensive strategy in recent years.
In a surprising twist, Indian football icon Sunil Chhetri has chosen to come out of retirement to assist the Blue Tigers in the upcoming FIFA international window, starting in March 2025. The experienced striker had declared his retirement from international play following the AFC Asian Cup 2024, but has reversed his decision to strengthen the squad during this critical qualification phase.
The Indian men’s team arrived in Shillong on Friday in preparation for their initial match in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers against Bangladesh on March 25. Prior to that, the team will play a friendly against Maldives on March 19, marking a historic event as the capital of Meghalaya will host the Indian senior men’s team for the first time.
The squad has commenced their training routine, beginning with a 45-minute gym session on Saturday morning, followed by their first practice on the field at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in the evening.
