The Indian national team held a praticse session at Dubai’s “The Sevens” stadium under the watchful eyes of coach Savio Medeira on Friday. Savio and his wards are preparing for the upcoming AFC Challenge Cup 2012 in the excellent conditions of Dubai.

“Everyone knows that the best sporting facilities in the world are made available in Dubai. The infrastructure is outstanding and so is the organisation over here,” Savio told in an interview with the Khaleej Times newspaper.

“There is nothing to complain about. The previous trips have helped a lot. During this training we’ll be playing against Oman and Azerbaijan and an Iranian team, and I’m sure it will be a good exercise,” Savio added.

Savio has named several youngsters in his probables list for the AFC Challenge Cup 2012, but he his confident in his wards. “This is a young team. Everyone wants to contribute. There are no big names except for Sunil Chetri who is extraordinary. The team spirit is the plus point of the team,” Savio pointed out.

Reisangmi Vashum is one of the youngsters in the team. The East Bengal midfielder earned his maidan call up to the national team in January, when India took on German giants FC Bayern Munich in the “Audi Football Summit” and he is eager to earn his first senior international cap.

Vashum, the son of a farmer, was just eight-years old when he took interest in football and he dreamt of playing at the top level like many others from his native state did before. So it turned to be a proud moment for the youngster, when he donned the blue India jersey for the first time in a match against a major European club.

Vashum has been always an utility player with the ability to play on the wings and in the middle. “It does not bother me, as I enjoy playing both as a striker as well as on the flanks. It’s up to the coach to decide where I would play,” he explained.

“I’m extremely lucky to have donned the national colours. We are such a big country and there are so many good footballers around. I’m also lucky to have played for Kingfisher East Bengal. It’s such a historic club.”

The youngster from the North-East is a fan of Lionel Messi and legendary India skipper Baichung Bhutia has been always his icon. “Baichung Bhutia is a god to me. Playing alongside him against Bayern Munich stays the happiest moment of my life,” Vashum told.

Talking about his future with the Indian national team he said: “I need to establish myself as a regular member for the national team. Getting selected for the Dubai Camp is just the first step. I still have a long way to go.”

Reisangmi Vashum and the Indian team will face Oman in Muscat in a friendly match (February 23), before they take on Azerbaijan (February 27) and an Iranian team (March 1) in Dubai.

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INDIA PROBABLES

Goalkeepers
Arindam Bhattacharya (Churchill Brothers SC), Subhasish Roy Chowdhury (Dempo SC), Karanjit Singh (Salgaocar SC), Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (East Bengal Club)

Defenders
Anwar Ali (Mohun Bagan AC), Nirmal Chettri (East Bengal Club), Kingshuk Debnath (Mohun Bagan AC), Raju Eknath Gaikwad (East Bengal Club), Arnab Mondal (Prayag United SC), Syed Rahim Nabi (Mohun Bagan AC), Sameer Subash Naik (Dempo SC), Gouramangi Moirangthem Singh (Churchill Brothers SC), Gurjinder Kumar Singh (Pune FC)

Midfielders
Francis Fernandes (Salgaocar SC), Lester Mark Fernandez (Pune FC), Adil Ahmed Khan (Sporting Clube de Goa), Rocus Lamare (Salgaocar SC), Manish Maithani (Mohun Bagan AC), Clifford Reyes Miranda (Dempo SC), Anthony Pereira (Dempo SC), Jewel Raja Sheikh (Mohun Bagan AC), Lalrindika Ralte (Churchill Brothers SC), Lenny Rodrigues (Churchill Brothers SC), Baldeep Singh (Pune FC), Reisangmi Vashum (East Bengal Club)

Forwards
Joaquim Abranches (Dempo SC), Sunil Chhetri (Mohun Bagan AC), C.S. Sabeeth (Pailan Arrows), Manandeep Singh (Air India), Sushil Kumar Singh (Shillong Lajong FC)

Officials
Savio Medeira (Chief Coach), Mariano Dias (Assistant Coach), Marcus Pacheco (Goalkeeping Coach), Pradip Datta (Physical Trainer), Sandeep Kumar (Doctor), Gigy George (Physio), Liaqat Ali (Masseur), Mandar Tamhane (Manager)

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