Central defender Anas Edathodika has come out of international retirement after being named in Igor Stimac’s 35-man probable squad for the upcoming Hero Intercontinental Cup. The Kerala center-back has announced his retirement from international football five months earlier and his call-up out of the blue could perhaps be a reaction to India’s fragile defense in the just concluded King’s Cup in Thailand.
India’s head coach made a host of other changes too from the preliminary list of players that have been chosen for the King’s Cup which included the addition of Mandar Rao Desai in the midfield along with Ashique Kuruniyan which would hopefully strengthen India’s attack.
“Coach Stimac has shown his faith in me and it is my turn to repay him now. He messaged me to join the upcoming camp. Honestly, I was taken aback and later Venky- Bhai (assistant-coach Venkatesh Shanmugam) shared all the details and I just can’t wait to join the camp.
“The respect I earned while playing the national team is something which has pushed me to challenge me again,” Anas Edathodika was quoted by AIFF.
From June 25th the Indian team will be camping at the Mumbai Football Arena in Mumbai.
