7 Malayalis, including 4 from an impressive U-23 side, make India probables squad

Head coach Khalid Jamil has included seven Malayalis, including a handful from an impressive India U-23 side, in his 30-member probables squad for the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers against Singapore.

Mohammed Aimen, Vibin Mohanan, Mohammed Sanan and Muhammed Suhail, who impressed in the recently concluded AFC U-23 Asian Cup qualifiers, where India narrowly missed out, are in the probables list.

Jamil has retained Muhammed Uvais, Ashique Kuruniyan and Jithin M S, who featured in the CAFA Nations Cup. India had finished third in the Nations Cup held in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, making it a memorable debut tournament for Jamil as head coach of senior India.

Veteran striker Sunil Chhetri has been recalled for the preparatory camp to be held in Bengaluru on September 20. The final squad for the Singapore fixtures will be announced after the camp.

Vibin and Aimen had scored a hat-trick and a brace respectively in India's 6-0 win over Brunei in the U-23 qualifiers. Suhail had netted against Bahrain and Qatar.

India will play Singapore in consecutive Asian Cup qualifiers. The first match will be played at the National Stadium in Singapore on October 9, followed by one at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium at Margao in Goa on October 14.

After two rounds in the third round of the senior Asian Cup qualifiers, India are bottom of Group C with one point, while Singapore are top on 4 points. India drew goalless with Bangladesh, before losing 0-1 to Hong Kong. India are ranked 133 in the world, while Singapore are placed 159.