Mohali, September 22, 2023: Punjab FC has announced their 33 member squad for the upcoming Indian Super League 2023-24 season. Punjab FC will be making their debut in this year’s ISL after becoming the first team to get promoted from the I-League, after winning the title in the 2022-23 season.
Head coach Staikos Vergetis has picked a squad that has a mix of youth and experience for their debut in ISL. The squad includes foreigners Luka Majcen, Juan Mera and Kiran Kumar Limbu who had extended their contracts after a successful I-League campaign and new signings Wilmar Jordan Gil, Madih Talal and Dimitrios Chatziisaias. The squad also includes all the new Indian signings, Amarjit Singh Kiyam (on loan), Leon Augustine, Prasanth K. Mohan, Melroy Assisi, Nikhil Prabhu, Nitesh Darjee, Kingslee Fernandes, Samuel Lyngdoh Kynshi, Ricky Shabong, Ranjeet Singh Pandre, Mashoor Shereef, Shibinraj Kunniyil and Sweden Fernandes (on loan). Suresh Meitei who re-signed after the I-League season is also part of the squad. The squad consists of six academy graduates, Tongbram Maheson Singh, Manglenthang Kipgen, Tekcham Abhishek Singh, Jaskaranbir Singh who were also part of the I-League winning squad in the previous season and also Ayush Deshwal and Pramveer who have been promoted to the senior side for this season.
Punjab FC will play their debut match in the ISL against defending ISL Champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant tomorrow at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati in Kolkata. The match is scheduled to kick-off at 8 PM.
Speaking ahead of their first match in the ISL, Head Coach, Staikos Vergetis said, “Both teams are better prepared than when we faced each other in the Durand Cup. I am fully confident, and all the players and staff are excited for the first match of ISL. We have a very difficult game in front of us tomorrow, but we are focused and determined to give our best in the field and I hope that the results will follow. I trust the maturity of my players in a game of this stature.”
Luka Majcen will be the captain of the team for the season. Ahead of the match Luka said, “It is going to be a big game for us and the match will be of high tempo and with a lot of chances. The teams and players in ISL are of better quality and we as a team are looking forward for the match.”
Punjab FC Squad for Indian Super League 2023-24 (Jersey Numbers in Bracket)
Goalkeepers
Ravi Kumar (1), Kiran Kumar Limbu (16), Jaskaranbir Singh (21), Shibinraj Kunniyil (42), Ayush Deshwal (69)
Defenders
Tekcham Abhishek Singh (2), Nikhil Prabhu (4), Dimitrios Chatziisaias (Greece) (5), Khaimingthang Lhungdim (12), Pramveer (32), Melroy Assisi (34), Mohammed Salah (39), Nitesh Darjee (45), Mashoor Shereef (66), Suresh Meitei (66)
Midfielders
Ricky Shabong (6), Krishnananda Kumar Singh (7), Madih Talal (France) (8), Tongbram Maheson Singh (10), Samuel Lyngdoh Kynshi (11), Juan Mera Gonzalez (Spain) (14), Manglenthang Kipgen (17), Sweden Fernandes (On Loan) (18), Ashis Pradhan (23), Brandon Vanlalremdika (28), Kingslee Fernandes (30), Leon Augustine (31), Amarjit Singh Kiyam (On Loan) (80)
Forwards
Wilmar Jordan Gil (Colombia) (9), Daniel Lalhimpuia (19), Prasanth.K.Mohan (24), Ranjeet Singh Pandre (30), Luka Majcen (Slovenia) (99)
