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The Indian football team is undergoing a squad change for the upcoming AFC Asian Cup qualifier match against Bangladesh on March 25. According to the team’s head coach Manolo Marquez, they made a change in the squad due to injury concerns. During the match between India and Maldives at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong, attacking midfielder Brandon Fernandes injured his knees. He was taken off the field on a stretcher. And now, the Blue Tigers have released Brandon from the team, with right winger Udanta Singh Kumam replacing him.
Udanta last played for India in the AFC Asian Cup in Qatar last year, before the fallout with then head coach Igor Stimac. The FC Goa player often plays as a winger and has 50 appearances for the Blue Tigers, scoring twice and assisting three others. Meanwhile, the All Indian Football Federation shared an update stating, "Brandon Fernandes has been released from the Indian squad due to an injury he picked up in the match against Maldives. Udanta Singh has joined the Indian camp in Shillong."
Macarton Louis Nickson joins Blue Tigers in Shillong ahead of the qualifier match vs Bangladesh
In another change in the Indian team, North East United midfielder Macarton Louis Nickson got a maiden call from the federation ahead of the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers. The 21-year-old Karnataka-born midfielder was instrumental in the Highlanders' incredible 2024-25 ISL campaign. This season, Nickson made 21 appearances under head coach Juan Pedro Benali, scoring two goals and assisting one. He was also part of Northeast's Durand Cup-winning team and made his position strong in the starting XI.
Team India is presently playing without striker Manvir Singh and pacy winger Lallianzuala Chhangte due to injuries, but the legendary Sunil Chhetri returned from international retirement to help the squad qualify for the 2027 Asian Cup. He made a solid comeback by scoring his 95th international goal against the Maldives. The Indian football team is currently placed in Group C of the 2027 Asian Cup along with Hong Kong, Bangladesh, and Singapore.
