Mohali, December 24, 2024: Defending champions Punjab FC have announced a strong squad for the Reliance Foundation Development League (RFDL) Regional Qualifiers 2024-25 which will get underway on 27th December. The club has named a preliminary 41 member side which includes 10 players from the senior side and 12 members from the reserve side. 15 members of the side which represented Punjab FC at the PL Next Generation Cup 2024 will be back this time to defend their title.
The squad includes first team regulars like Tekcham Abhishek Singh, Ricky Shabong, Manglenthang Kipgen and Nitesh Darjee along with youngsters like Singamayum Shami, Muhammed Suhail F, Pramveer and Likambam Rakesh Meitei who made their senior debuts this season and reserve goalkeeper Ayush Deshwal and Jaskaranvir Singh have also been named in the squad.
U-17 internationals Karish Soram, Vishal Yadav and Thoungamba Usham Singh have also been included in the squad along with 2023-24 season Golden Ball winner Omang Dudum. Muhammed Suhail F. was awarded the Golden Boot last season.
Speaking on the squad announcement, Nikolaos Topoliatis, Football Director of Roundglass Sports said, “We have named a squad that includes our academy boys from every category to make sure that there is a proper balance of experience and also something for the younger players to learn from playing in this tournament. Our focus has always been on nurturing homegrown talent, and this squad is a testament to that commitment including many players from Punjab. I hope that the players can perform well in the youth tournaments this year and make use of the pathway they have to be elevated to the senior team.”
Punjab FC will play their first match of the RFDL Regional Qualifiers North 2024-25 against the Garhwal Heroes FC on December 27, 2024 at Sudeva Academy, Civil Lines, New Delhi.
Punjab FC were crowned champions in the 2023-24 edition remaining unbeaten across the regional qualifiers and the National Championship. They were one of the three clubs who represented India in the PL Next Generation Cup 2024 in England and created history by becoming the first Indian Club to beat English opposition in foreign soil overcoming Everton and Aston Villa.
Punjab FC Preliminary Squad for RFDL Regional Qualifiers 2024-25
Goalkeepers
Ayush Deshwal, Jaskarenvir Singh, Naveen Saini, Harpreet Singh, Jaskaran Dub, Mohd. Fizaan Jabir
Defenders
Likmabam Rakesh Meitei, Nitesh Darjee, M. Leidong, Tekcham Abhishek Singh, Thoungamba Usham Singh, Thongram Rishikanta Singh, Manav Singh, Pramveer, Mohd Sahil, Mohammed Sohel Khan, Om Motghare, Jaydev Sharma, Thoudam Anishkumar, Arshvir Singh, Satnam Singh
Midfielders
Manglenthang Kipgen, Singamayum Shami, Ricky John Shabong, Ranjan Soren, Sukhwinder Singh, Ngarin Shaiza, Laishram Rishikanta Meitei, Tourangbam Zaithleen Singh, Albert Thangjam
Forwards
Muhammad Suhail F., Yendrembam Boby Singh, Konsam Sanathoi Singh, Gurpreet Singh, Stephen Ngurchhuanmawia, Vishal Yadav, Harmanpreet Singh, Omang Dodum, Pyrkhatshaphrang Sumer
Punjab FC Fixtures for RFDL Regional Qualifiers North 2024-25
27th Dec, 2024 – 12:00 PM: Punjab FC vs Garhwal Heroes FC at Sudeva Academy, Civil Lines
30th Dec, 2024 – 09:00 AM: Namdhari FC vs Punjab FC at Frontier FC Ground, Chhawla
2nd Jan, 2025 – 03:00 PM: Punjab FC vs Rajasthan Utd. FC at Sudeva Academy, Civil Lines
5th Jan, 2025 – 09:00 AM: Sudeva Delhi FC vs Punjab FC at Frontier FC Ground, Chhawla
8th Jan, 2025 – 03:00 PM: Punjab FC vs Delhi FC at Frontier FC Ground, Chhawla.
