City footballer picked for two friendly matches against AFC Challenge Cup winners Palestine

After flying back from Incheon, the squad will assemble in Goa on September 27 and practise till October 3.

It was against Palestine in an international friendly in January last year when Sandesh was first drafted into the reserves of the Indian team.

While the morale of the Indian football team is down having suffered an ignominious 0-5 thrashing at the hands of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in their opening match of the Asian Games in Incheon, the Indians, looking forward to avoid another defeat against superweights Jordan, have something that will act as a balm for them. The news of selection of a few players in team for two international friendlies against Palestine will give these players the much-needed boost against Jordan in their second match on September 22.

Sandesh Jhingan is one such player who, despite struggling to perform at his optimum level in the first game against UAE, has found a place in the 20-member football squad announced by national coach Wim Koevermans.

However, his first mission is to help India avoid defeat against Jordan as a loss against them will mean the Indians could fly back home sooner than expected. Then, the focus will shift to the two back-to-back international friendlies against the AFC Challenge Cup champions to be held at the Kanchenjunga Stadium in Siliguri, West Bengal, on October 6 and 9.

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Having earned his maiden cap for the Indian U-23 team last month against Pakistan, Sandesh now has the opportunity to earn his first senior cap against the Palestine team, ranked 102 in the world in the FIFA Rankings. India are currently placed 158th in the world.

“It will be wonderful to earn my senior cap in a competitive match. Hope that happens soon. I am keeping my fingers crossed,” said the defender from Chandigarh.

It was against Palestine in an international friendly in January last year when Sandesh was first drafted into the reserves of the Indian team. After that, he earned his maiden call-up to the national camp and was named in the Indian team for the AFC Challenge Cup Qualifiers.

However, a knee injury meant Sandesh could not make the opportunity count and also missed the flight to China where he was set to fly to Shanghai and undergo trials at two Chinese League One clubs which were interested in signing him.

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Putting the past disappointment behind him, Sandesh has built a reputation for himself as a reliable defender and has been a constant fixture in the Indian side.

After flying back from Incheon, the squad will assemble in Goa on September 27 and practise till October 3.

Also, the two friendlies against Palestine will help Sandesh and Co get into shape before the commencement of the Indian Super League, a football tournament on the lines of IPL, from October 12. Like the other talented players from India, Sandesh will play in the tournament for Sachin Tendulkar-owned Kerala Blasters and will play their first match against North East United FC on October 15 at Guwahati.

“I am really looking forward to the tournament as we will get a chance to play against some of the football legends who we used to look up to when we were kids,” added the 21-year-old former student of Shishu Niketan, Chandigarh.

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