J&K’s Suhail Bhat named in Indian Football Squad
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, May 28: In a proud and inspiring moment for Jammu and Kashmir, Suhail Ahmad Bhat, a 20-year-old footballer from Bemina, Srinagar, has been selected for the Indian national football team. Suhail has earned his place in the 28-member squad announced by head coach Manolo Marquez for the international friendly against Thailand, scheduled to be played on June 4.
This friendly match is part of India’s preparations for the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Qualifiers Final Round, where the team will face Hong Kong on June 10. Suhail, who had a standout season with Mohun Bagan Super Giant in the Indian Super League (ISL), is considered one of the brightest attacking talents to emerge from the region in recent years.
Before Suhail, Danish Farooq was the last player from Kashmir to represent India, featuring in friendlies against Bahrain and Belarus in 2022. J&K has a rich history in Indian football, with legendary names like Mehrajuddin Wadoo, who earned 31 international caps and scored the winning goal in the 2005 SAFF Cup final. Other notable players include Mushir Ahmed and Abdul Majid, both of whom proudly wore the Indian jersey in the 1980s. While, Jammu too has produced national and International-level footballers like Arun Malhotra, Ranjit Singh, Dimple Bhagat, Bhupinder Singh, Amardeep Singh and others who have made notable contributions to Indian football.
Expressing pride in Suhail’s selection, Arun Malhotra, former India footballer and current member of AIFF’s Technical Committee, said, “It’s a proud and emotional moment for J&K. Suhail’s selection is a reminder that our region is brimming with talent. With the right support and exposure, many more such stars can emerge.” The resurgence of players like Suhail on the national stage is a beacon of hope for aspiring footballers in Jammu and Kashmir.
India squad for Thailand
Goalkeepers: Hrithik Tiwari, Vishal Kaith, Gurmeet Singh, Amrinder Singh.
Defenders: Naorem Roshan Singh, Rahul Bheke, Chinglensana Singh Konsham, Anwar Ali, Boris Singh Thangjam, Sandesh Jhingan, Asish Rai, Subhasish Bose, Mehtab Singh, Abhishek Singh Tekcham.
Midfielders: Suresh Singh Wangjam, Mahesh Singh Naorem, Ayush Dev Chhetri, Udanta Singh Kumam, Lalengmawia Ralte, Liston Colaco, Ashique Kuruniyan, Brandon Fernandes, Nikhil Prabhu.
Forwards: Sunil Chhetri, Edmund Lalrindika, Manvir Singh, Suhail Ahmad Bhat, Lallianzuala Chhangte
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