Indian national team coach Wim Koevermans has named a 20-member squad for the 2012 Nehru Cup scheduled to kick-off on Wednesday. India will face Syria in the opening match at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.

Koevermans selected his squad based on the impressions gained during the preparation camps in Bangalore and the Jaypee Greens, Greater Noida. The new Indian head coach dropped Nallappan Mohanraj, Irungbam Khelemba Singh, Joaquim Abranches, Rocus Lamare, Gilbert Oliviera, Baldeep Singh, Ongnam Milan Singh and Jeje Lalpekhlua (injured) from his preliminary squad.

“I’m confident in the abilities of my boys,” the Dutchan stressed. “The practice sessions have been good. It’s nice to see the boys pushing each other.”

The 20-member squad lead by Sporting Clube de Portugal star Sunil Chhetri does also include two India U22 national team players in Alwyn George and Manandeep Singh.

“It’s a dream come true for me,” young Alwyn maintained. “The camp sessions have been an education for me and I’m maturing fast as a player.”

“This is a new challenge for me. As a player, one needs to flexible to adjust yourself in different situations. I’m trying my best and learning at every step,” Manandeep told.

More details and exclusive updates on the the NEHRU CUP will be available at www.facebook.com/cpd81

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INDIA SQUAD

Goalkeepers
Subrata Pal (Prayag United SC), Subhasish Roy Chowdhury (Dempo SC), Karanjit Singh (Salgaocar SC)

Defenders
Nirmal Chettri (Mohun Bagan AC), Denzil Franco (Churchill Brothers SC), Raju Eknath Gaikwad (East Bengal Club), Syed Rahim Nabi (Mohun Bagan AC), Gouramangi Moirangthem Singh (Prayag United SC), Gurwinder Singh (East Bengal Club)

Midfielders
Francis Fernandes (Salgaocar SC), Alwyn George (Pailan Arrows), Mehtab Hossain (East Bengal Club), Clifford Miranda (Dempo SC), Anthony Pereira (Dempo SC), Sanju Pradhan (East Bengal Club), Jewel Raja Sheikh (Mohun Bagan AC), Lenny Rodrigues (Churchill Brothers SC)

Forwards
Sunil Chhetri (Sporting Clube de Portugal ‘B’), Manandeep Singh (East Bengal Club), Robin Singh (East Bengal Club)

Officials
Wim Koevermans (Head Coach), Savio Medeira (Assistant Coach), Marcus Pacheco (Goalkeeper Coach)

More details and exclusive updates on the the NEHRU CUP will be available at www.facebook.com/cpd81