Subrata Paul axed from India squad for Kyrgyz match
NEW DELHI: India’s most-capped goalkeeper Subrata Paul was dropped from the 32-member probable list for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualifying match against Kyrgyz Republic.
The 31-year-old Paul, who was part of multiple Nehru Cup triumphs and the AFC Challenge Cup win in 2009 that helped India qualify for the Asian Cup after 27 years, did not figure in coach Stephen Constantine’s list.
Skipper Sunil Chhetri too wasn’t there due to double bookings in India’s last match.
The players will undergo a preparatory camp in Mumbai ahead of the March 27 match against Kyrgyz Republic away at the Dolon Omurzakov Stadium in Bishkek.
Paul had last year earned a massive reprieve after the National Anti- Doping Agency (NADA) revoked his provisional suspension, letting him off with a warning with regards to violation of anti-doping rule. MARGAO: The Samba Boys are long gone. The Spanish Armada has replaced them but one thing that’s been constant for FC Goa is the flair. While the Brazilians are always cherished by the Goans, the Spaniards have quickly won their hearts over and have emerged the best offensive unit in the brief history of the Indian Super League. Whenfcgoasquare off against old nemesis Chennaiyin FC in the first leg of the second semifinal at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Saturday, the focus will be on their three Spanish recruits – coach Sergio Lobera, who has changed their fortunes after they finished bottom last season, and his Catalonian compatriots Ferran Corominas and Manuel Lanzarote.
Between them, Corominas (18 goals) and Lanzarote (12) share 30 of the 42 goals Goa have scored this season and have helped coach Lobera deliver on his promise of playing attacking football. But ahead of the semifinal, Lobera doesn’t want to put undue burden on his star players. “I don’t think any two players in this league can dictate the fortunes of an entire team. There are always players whose names are
likely to show up on the scoresheet and it is good they are capable of that, but it’s always a result of team effort,” said Lobera, whose side has a 1-1 head to head against Chennaiyin this season.
Chennaiyin FC coach John Gregory is aware of the danger the duo poses. “We don’t have prolific scorers like Corominas and Lanzarote. Lanzarote, though he plays in the midfield, is a great finisher, you give him one opportunity and he will take it.
“That’s the beauty of the Goa
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