East Bengal head coach Carles Cuadrat announced on Wednesday that his club has submitted a list of players to the All India Football Federation (AIFF) for the national team selection for the Hangzhou Asian Games.
Because the Asian Games football competition timetable overlaps with the ISL, most clubs have shown reluctance to release the 22 players named in the Indian squad.
“We have respect for the national team and have sent them a list of players they can use. The clubs and federation (AIFF) must cooperate to do the best for the country," Cuadrat said during a press conference ahead of the ISL.
"We have players in the U-23 and the senior team, and we support the national team. There is a list of East Bengal players who can take part in the Asian Games,” he added.
The Indian squad will kick off their Asian Games campaign against China on September 19, followed by matches against Bangladesh on September 21 and Myanmar on September 24.
The top two teams from each of the six groups will go to the pre-quarterfinals, with the top four third-placed teams also qualifying.
(With PTI inputs)
