Skipper Bhaichung Bhutia was today included in the 23-member final squad while Mohammad Rafi was drafted in place of Sushil Kumar on the eve of India’s AFC Asian Cup opener against Australia tomorrow.

Speculations about Bhutia’s presence in the tournament has been doing the rounds for a while now, but national football team coach Bob Houghton dispelled all doubts by naming his skipper in the list of 23.

Houghton said that the team management would do “everything possible” to ensure that the Sikkimese Sniper gets to play in the continental football extravaganza.

Bhutia has been carrying a calf muscle injury which has kept him out for long, and there have been doubts over his participation in the tournament.

“What worries me is that our captain is injured and we are anxious to give some playing time.

Courtesy: Sikkim Mail

 

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