Four players of Indian origin follow Vikash Dhorasoo”s footsteps in FIFA World Cup

NEW DELHI: (Jun 3) Qualifying for the FIFA World Cup has remained a dream for India. But the 23rd edition in the Americas, beginning on June 11, will feature four Indian origin players.

The quartet — Sarpreet Singh, Samuel Moutoussamy, Nishan Velupillay, and Tahsin Mohammed — follow the footsteps of Vikash Dhorasoo, the French midfielder, who appeared in the 2006 World Cup in Germany.  Dhorasoo, whose family traces its roots to Andhra Pradesh via Mauritius, played for France in the 2006 edition in Germany, finishing as a runner-up.The Quartet in Focus Sarpreet Singh – The New Zealand midfielder, of Indian heritage, is set for his second straight World Cup after featuring in 2022. A product of Wellington Phoenix, Singh currently plays club football in Europe and is known for his creativity and set-piece ability.Samuel Moutoussamy – Born in France to a father of Indian origin from Puducherry, Moutoussamy represents the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Nantes midfielder brings steel and composure to the Congolese midfield.Nishan Velupillay – The Australia winger, whose parents hail from Tamil Nadu, broke into the Socceroos setup after impressive A-League performances. Known for his pace and direct running, Velupillay is one of Australia’s rising stars.Tahsin Mohammed – The youngest of the group, Tahsin will represent co-hosts Canada. The forward, of Indian descent, has been fast-tracked into the senior team after a breakthrough MLS season.