National football camp returns to Kolkata after 15 years

KOLKATA: The Indian men's football team's preparatory camp kicked off here for the forthcoming international friendlies against Nepal, with 23 of the shortlisted players reporting on Monday. Those competing in the AFC Cup — currently underway in Maldives — for their respective clubs will join the camp once the tournament is over.

This marks the return of the national camp in Kolkata after 15 years with the Indian squad last having camped in the city in 2006 prior to the FIFA World Cup Qualifier against Saudi Arabia.

"It's a nice feeling for all of us to assemble at the national camp. The primary target is to get ready in our quest to qualify for the AFC Asian Cup China 2023. There is a roadmap laid down and we are confident of making it to China in 2023," midfielder Anirudh Thapa said. IANS

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