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Two-time Indian Super League champions Chennaiyin FC have announced a 25-man squad for their 2019 AFC Cup qualifying playoff round against Sri Lanka’s Colombo FC and the big news is the inclusion of local favourite Dhanpal Ganesh, who missed Chennaiyin FC’s entire ISL title defence due to a knee injury.
It was also announced that Chennaiyin FC will be playing the home match of the two-legged qualifying tie at The Arena by TransStadia, Ahmedabad since playing Sri Lankan opponents in Tamil Nadu would not be politically conducive.
This is Chennaiyin FC’s debut AFC Cup campaign following their 2017-18 ISL title success and they are placed in the South Asian Zone of the competition. This qualifying tie against Colombo FC is for a place in the group stage of the 2019 AFC Cup.
Colombo FC defeated Bhutan’s Transport United 9-2 on aggregate in the preliminary round and will be hosting Chennaiyin FC in the first leg at the Colombo Race Course Ground in Colombo on Wednesday, March 6. Chennaiyin FC’s home leg will be played in Ahmedabad on Wednesday, March 13.
Australian Chris Herd, who joined Chennaiyin FC in the January transfer window, will be the club’s Asian player in the qualifier with the Brazilian trio of Mailson Alves, Eli Sabia and Raphael Augusto being the other three foreigners.
Four youth team players have also been included in the squad. Defender Hendry Antonay (U-18 & B team) and midfielder Zonunmawia (B team), who were also part of the 2018-19 ISL first team squad, are joined by defender Reamsochung Aimol (B team) and forward Bawlte Rohmingthanga (B team).
Following the 1-0 defeat away to FC Goa in their final 2018-19 ISL fixture on Thursday, Chennaiyin FC will continue their AFC Cup preparations in Goa and leave for Sri Lanka on Monday, March 4.
CHENNAIYIN FC – 2019 AFC Cup Qualifying Playoff Round Squad
Goalkeepers
Karanjit Singh, Sanjiban Ghosh, Nikhil Bernard
Defenders
Mailson Alves (Brazil), Eli Sabia (Brazil), Zohmingliana Ralte, Jerry Lalrinzuala, Laldinliana Renthlei, Tondonba Singh, Hendry Antonay, Reamsochung Aimol
Midfielders
Chris Herd (Australia), Anirudh Thapa, Germanpreet Singh, Dhanpal Ganesh, Raphael Augusto (Brazil), Thoi Singh, Francisco Fernandes, Isaac Vanmalsawma, Halicharan Narzary, Zonunmawia
Forwards
Jeje Lalpekhlua, CK Vineeth, Mohammed Rafi, Bawlte Rohmingthanga
Chennaiyin FC – 2019 AFC Cup Qualifying Playoff Round Fixtures
1st-Leg: Wednesday, March 6: Colombo FC (Sri Lanka) vs Chennaiyin FC – Kick-Off: 15:30h IST
Venue: Colombo Race Course Ground, Colombo
2nd-Leg: Wednesday, March 13: Chennaiyin FC vs Colombo FC (Sri Lanka) – Kick-Off: 19:30h IST
Venue: The Arena by TransStadia, Ahmedabad
