Mohali. Defending champions Punjab FC have announced a strong squad for the Reliance Foundation Development League (RFDL) Regional Qualifiers 2024-25. This competition is starting from 27th December. The club has announced a preliminary squad of 41 players, which includes 10 senior players and 12 reserve players. 15 players who represented Punjab FC in last season's Premier League Next Generation Cup 2024 are returning this time to defend their team's title.
The team consists of senior players like Tekcham Abhishek Singh, Ricky Shabong, Manglenthang Kipgen, and Nitish Darjee along with youngsters like Singmayum Shami, Mohammed Suhail F., Pramveer, and Leekambam Rakesh Meitei, who made his debut for the senior team this season. Reserve goalkeepers Ayush Deshwal and Jaskaranveer Singh have also been included in the team.
Under-17 international players Karish Soram, Vishal Yadav and Thongamba Usham Singh have also been included in the team. The 2023–24 season's Golden Ball winner Omang Dodum and last season's Golden Boot winner Mohammad Suhail F. Are also part of the team.
Nikolaos Topoliatis, Punjab FC's Director of Football, said, “We have created a balanced squad, including academy players from every category, to bring in experience and provide the young players with an opportunity to learn. Our focus has always been on nurturing homegrown talent, and this team is a symbol of that commitment, with many players from Punjab joining us. I am hopeful that the players will perform well in this year's youth tournament and with their hard work will reach the senior team.”
Punjab FC will play its first match in the RFDL Regional Qualifiers North 2024-25 against Garhwal Heroes FC on 27 December 2024 at Sudeva Academy, Civil Lines, New Delhi.
In the 2023–24 edition, Punjab FC won the regional qualifiers and the national championship without losing any match. Also, created history by becoming one of the three clubs to represent India at the Premier League Next Generation Cup 2024 in England. Punjab FC became the first Indian club to defeat teams like Everton and Aston Villa on foreign soil.
Punjab FC's preliminary squad for RFDL Regional Qualifiers 2024-25:-
Goalkeepers- Ayush Deshwal, Jaskaranveer Singh, Naveen Saini, Harpreet Singh, Jaskaran Dub, Mohammad Fizan Jabir
Defenders- Leekambam Rakesh Meitei, Nitesh Darjee, M. Ledong, Tekcham Abhishek Singh, Thongamba Usham Singh, Thongram Rishikanta Singh, Manav Singh, Pramvir, Mohammad Sahil, Mohammad Sohail Khan, Om Motghare, Jaydev Sharma, Thodam Anish Kumar, Arshvir Singh, Satnam Singh
Midfielders- Mangalenthang Kipgen, Singmayum Shami, Ricky John Shabong, Ranjan Soren, Sukhwinder Singh, Nagarin Shaija, Laishram Rishikanta Meitei, Torngbam Jaithleen Singh, Albert Thangjam.
Forward- Mohammad Suhail F., Yendrembam Bobby Singh, Konsam Santhoi Singh, Gurpreet Singh, Stephen Ngurchuanmwia, Vishal Yadav, Harmanpreet Singh, Omang Dodum, Pyarkhatsprang Sumer.
Punjab FC's RFDL Regional Qualifiers North 2024-25 Schedule:
● 27 December 2024 – 12:00 PM: Punjab FC vs Garhwal Heroes FC @ Sudeva Academy, Civil Lines
● 30 December 2024 – 09:00 AM: Namdhari FC vs Punjab FC @ Frontier FC Ground, Chhawla
● January 2, 2025 – 03:00 PM: Punjab FC vs Rajasthan United FC @ Sudeva Academy, Civil Lines
● January 5, 2025 – 09:00 AM: Sudeva Delhi FC vs Punjab FC @ Frontier FC Ground, Chhawla
● 8 January 2025 – 03:00 PM: Punjab FC vs Delhi FC @ Frontier FC Ground, Chhawla
Comments are closed.