Mohali, March 24 -- Punjab FC defender Bijoy Varghese received his maiden call-up to the Indian senior football team as the Head Coach Khalid Jamil named a 23-member squad for the Asian Cup qualifier against Hong Kong on 31st March at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi.

The Kerala-born defender, who was signed ahead of this season, made his debut for the side in the Durand Cup 2025 and has been a mainstay for Panagiotis Dilmperis from then on, playing in every match of the Indian Super League and the AIFF Super Cup, according to a press release.

Speaking on his maiden call-up to the Indian team, Bijoy said, "It's an incredible feeling to receive my first call-up to the senior national team. This is something I've worked towards for a lon...