The Blue Colts, led by head coach Naushad Moosa, are aiming to qualify for the AFC U23 Asian Cup for the first time ever. In the previous six attempts, India have not made it past the Qualifiers, so Moosa and his youngsters will be gunning to create history in the Qatari capital.

Hosts Qatar and Brunei Darussalam are the other two teams in Group H. The group winners and the four best runners-up across all 11 groups will qualify for the final tournament, to be held in January 2026, in Saudi Arabia.

In the pre-match press conference on Tuesday, Moosa said, “I don’t think any team is ‘big’. It’s important to respect every opponent. As far as Bahrain are concerned, we have watched two or three of their matches to prepare. We know Qatar are a very strong side. They play tomorrow, so I’ll get some analysis from that game.”

The Blue Colts have had two separate camps in the lead-up to the Qualifiers. In June, they played two friendly games against Tajikistan (2-3 defeat) and Kygryz Republic (0-0 draw) in Tajikistan. They had a 20-day camp at the Padukone-Dravid Centre for Sports Excellence in Bengaluru in August. In the last week of August, the India U23s travelled to Malaysia to play two closed-door friendly games against Iraq, where they lost 1-2 and 1-3, respectively.

“All four friendlies we played were tough. But I was happy with the way the team played. We are well prepared – both mentally and physically – and I’m really looking forward to it. We are ready for the opening game against Bahrain,” said Moosa.

“Bahrain are a strong side. Watching them, I was very impressed with the way they attack, defend, and the intensity they bring. I have a lot of respect for them. It will be a competitive game, and it definitely won’t be easy for Bahrain,” he added.

Bahrain head coach Ali Abdulmajed said, “India are a strong team with quality players. We’ve watched their recent matches, and they have good elements. It will be a 50-50 match. If we manage to deal with India’s strengths, we can have the upper hand. But if India succeed in imposing their game, it will be difficult.”

After the friendlies in Malaysia, the Blue Colts directly flew to Qatar, arriving in Doha on Saturday, four days before the first match. With temperatures soaring to 43 degrees during the day, Moosa said that the team are gradually adjusting to the different weather conditions.

“It’s hot and humid, of course, but in the last few days, we’ve been trying to adapt as quickly as possible. The boys are working hard. We are working on it by training in the mornings and trying to get used to the conditions. The facilities are very good, and we’re excited to play.

“These matches are very important. U23 tournaments help in the players’ development a lot as they get minutes. We need more tournaments like this for better player progression into the senior level,” Moosa said.

Captain and centre-back Bikash Yumnam, who accompanied the coach in the press conference, said, “The first match is very important to build confidence and get points. We’ve been preparing for the last three weeks, and now the boys are ready for the Qualifiers. Every day, we give 100 per cent, and we’re really looking forward to making a mark here.”

Credits: AIFF Media

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Igor Stimac, after the recent success in the SAFF Championship in Maldives, got into the act quickly in pursuit of qualification to the AFC U-23 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2022 for the first time ever since the inception of the tournament in 2013.

He started with experienced Dheeraj Singh under the woodwork and two full-backs in the form of Asish Rai and Akash Mishra to support the attacking moves. Deepak Tangri and Narender Gahlot were put in at the heart of the defence. India’s U-17 FIFA World Cupper duo Jeakson Singh and Suresh Wangjam (captain) manned the middle of the park, while Rahul KP and Vikram Partap Singh were deployed at the flanks. Rahim Ali and Aniket Jadhav were at the attacking third.

Before the opponents could settle in, Igor Stimac’s boys started hurling attacks from both wings and in the fifth minute, Vikram earned a penalty that Rahim Ali calmly converted. Omani goalkeeper Ibrahim Yousuf had guessed the right way, but Rahim’s spot-kick was placed perfectly, as the ball went past the upright and nestled into the side-netting.

Six minutes later, Akash floated in a delicious cross from the left but the goalkeeper leapt above Aniket to grab it without any fuss. Vikram and Rahul, with their lightning speed, kept the Omani midfield on their toes throughout, something that helped them punch through for the second goal in the 37th minute.

Akash took on his own to penetrate the midfield and passed it onto an onrushing Rahim Ali, who rounded off his marker and pushed the ball onto an unmarked Vikram towards his right. The youngster made no mistake to slot it home past an onrushing keeper. That goal gave India the clear upper hand, as the two teams trudged back into the tunnel at half-time.

After the resumption, India could have made it three through Aniket Jadhav, but he was ruled offside. Rahul KP made one of his signature darting runs, as he cut in from the left, jinked past a defender, and unleashed a shot on goal, which was saved. Aniket was lurking nearby and tried to pounce on the rebound, but was flagged offside.

Two minutes to the hour-mark, Asish Rai made a crucial block to deny Fahad Masaao, thus maintaining India’s two-goal advantage.

Stimac made a few changes towards the end of the game and the boys responded in a similar manner to hold their fortress against Oman.

Bryce Miranda, who was thrown into the fray on 71 minutes, almost scored his first goal in the 80th. Having played a brilliant one-two with Rahim Ali, he snuck into the Oman penalty box from the left corner but eventually miscued his effort.

In the final minute of the regulation time, Omani substitute Waleed Salim tucked in a cross from Abdullah Mohammed Al Balushi to halve the gap, but the Indian defenders clung onto their lead towards the final whistle to leave the pitch with all three points.

Following the win, India join the Kyrgyz Republic at the top of Group E with equal points and an identical goal difference. Indian are scheduled to face hosts UAE at the same venue at IST 10:00 PM on Wednesday (October 27, 2021) in their next fixture.

India U-23 XI: Dheeraj Singh; Asish Rai (Hormipam Ruivah 71′, Narender Gahlot, Deepak Tangri, Akash Mishra; Vikram Partap Singh (Bryce Miranda 71′), Suresh Singh, Jeakson Singh, Rahul KP; Aniket Jadhav (Amarjit Singh 60′), Rahim Ali.

CREDITS- AIFF MEDIA

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As India U23 gear up to take on Oman in their opening match of the qualifiers for the AFC U23 Asian Cup, Head Coach Igor Stimac stated that the next three matches will provide a chance to the Indian boys to gauge “where they stand against their generation” of other Asian countries.

“We are grateful to be here,” Stimac stated at the official press conference “Given the current situation it’s not easy to play International football these days. The next three matches provide a chance to the youngsters to gain some experience and gauge where they stand against their generation of stronger sides like Oman, UAE, and Kyrgyz Republic.”

The Indian team landed in Dubai on October 20, and had their first training session the next day onwards.

“We don’t have huge expectations. We hope everyone will give their best on the pitch. That’s what I am asking from the players. Right at this moment, it’s difficult to say how we will fare against stronger sides who are prepared more than us for this leg. But I also hope we can surprise some. We will look for our chances.”

India have been clubbed in Group E along with hosts UAE, Oman and Kyrgyz Republic.

Referring to a question about rating Oman as an opponent, Stimac expressed: “We have analysed the games which Oman played in the last tournament they played. We tried to explain to our players about their strength, and how we should play but we need to see how we can execute it on the field.”

“Every match brings forward different situations at certain stages, and then it’s all about how the players can adapt and proceed,” the coach added.

The U23 boys headed to Dubai on the back of the Senior team winning the SAFF Championship in Maldives last week.

“We participated in the SAFF Championship and we have some players in the current squad who were part of the triumph — 5 of them. I hope their experience of playing with the Senior National team will add to the confidence of the team, and make others comfortable and encourage everyone to play well in this leg of the qualifiers.”

“We were happy with the qualifying rounds of the Asian Cup wherein we played the Asian Champions (Qatar) twice on their own ground. We just conceded one goal which shows that India is becoming strong defensively. We were extremely organised, and disciplined. It’s great to think about a better future for Indian Football. We have also qualified for the third round in the Asian Cup qualifiers, and expect to qualify for the AFC Asian Cup China 2023.”

The kick-off tomorrow (October 24) against Oman U23 is at IST 10 pm, and the match will be streamed live on Indian Football’s social media handles.

CREDITS- AIFF MEDIA

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Besides India, the other teams in the group are Tajikistan and Pakistan, with Uzbekistan being the hosts.

Pereira will be in charge of the preparatory camp in Goa which kicks-off from March 2, 2019. The team will also play a friendly match against Qatar U-23 at Doha on March 11.

AIFF General Secretary Mr. Kushal Das congratulated Pereira and said that his experience will be invaluable for the U-23 National Team. “His coaching pedigree along with AFC Pro Licence degree is the perfect recipe to guide our young players in the AFC U-23 qualifiers. We aim to qualify from the group to the AFC Championship next year, and I wish him and the team good luck,” Mr. Das said.

“It’s an absolute honor to get associated with the National Team set-up. I love to take challenges. I know most of the players and have seen them in action. But we need to find the right combination to perform and achieve the desired results,” Pereira said.

National Team Director and Former India skipper Abhishek Yadav said: “The experience of Derrick Pereira as a Coach will be important for our team. The preparatory camp will be followed by a practice match against Qatar U-23 which will be a huge test.” Pereira stressed that the challenge against Qatar will be ‘tough’.

“They are a quality side. I have a feeling that some of the U-23 boys from Qatar will be in their 2022 World Cup squad. It will be a tough challenge which will help us prepare for future assignments,” he added.

The list of probable’s is as follows:

GOALKEEPERS: Mohammed Nawaz, Prabhsukhan Gill, Arshdeep Singh, Dheeraj Singh.

DEFENDERS: Nishu Kumar, Kamalpreet Singh, Provat Lakra, Boris Singh, Sajid Dhot, Sairuatkima, Sarthak Golui, Sahil Panwar, Gaurav Bora, Narender Gahlot, Mehtab Singh, Anwar Ali, Wung Muirang, Asish Rai, Jerry Lalrinzuala.

MIDFIELDERS: Liston Colaco, Lalianzuala Chhangte, Ashique Kuruniyan, Vinit Rai, Anirudh Thapa, Sahal Abdul, Amarjit Singh, Deepak Tangri, Rohit Kumar, Suresh Singh, Komal Thatal, Rahul KP.

FORWARDS: Daniel Lalhlimpuia, Hitesh Sharma, Rahim Ali, Samuel Lalmuanpuia, Rohit Danu, Jerry Mawihminthanga.

Below is India’s schedule at the AFC U-23 Qualifiers:

March 22: Tajikistan vs India.

March 24: India vs Uzbekistan.

March 26: India vs Pakistan.

AIFF MEDIA

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The three players – Asharudeen Pulparamban, Enestar Malngiang and Manvir Singh were among the 40 players who had attended the trials from where eight were registered for the final list of 34.

The trial camp was conducted by AIFF after AIFF’s scouting network led by Executive Committee member Abhishek Yadav Yadav and his team ranging from inter-university championships, inter-college tournaments, the Santosh Trophy, the 2nd Division League, Reliance Foundation Youth Sports (RFYS) as well as the overseas scouting programme.

The spotted boys were then summoned for trials in Mumbai under Constantine and his Assistant coach Shanmugam Venkatesh.

“These three players showed some good football skills and the purpose of the scouting was to find better players than what we have. We’re looking forward, to the future”, Stephen quipped in when asked about zeroing upon three new players ahead of the crucial AFC U-23 Championship Qualifiers.

Constantine who has a penchant for finding new talents says that the search for Players will ”never end.”

“It has been my philosophy always. My concept is to build a team which would last longer. There has to be a competition amongst the players to take up the places, that’s the only way you can move forward in India.”

The squad will be camping in Delhi in New Delhi from June 17, 2017.

“The players are joining the camp on June 17. It’s going to be a tough camp surely. 34 players would be vying for the spot in the team until the team is finalised. Hopefully, we’ll go for an exposure trip which will be followed by the AFC U-23 Championship Qualifiers in Qatar”, Stephen commented.

The list of probable stay as follows:

Goalkeepers: Vishal Kaith, Sukhadev Shivaji Patil, Kamaljit Singh, Phurba Tempa Lechenpa

Defenders: Nishu Kumar, Lalramchullova, Chinglensana Singh Konsham, Salam Ranjan Singh, Sarthak Golui, Sairuatkima, Lalruatthara, Nitesh Deepak Aswani, Subhasish Bose, Jerry Lalrinzuala

Midfielders: Nikhil Chandrashekhar Poojary, Raynier Raymond Fernandes, Isaac Vanmalsawma Chhakchhuak, Germanpreet Singh, Vinith Rai, Mawihmingthanga, Asharudeen Pulparamban, Saurabh Das, Enestar Malngiang, Robinson Singh Khumukcham, Vignesh Dakshina Murthy, Chesterpoul Lyngdoh, Lallianzuala Chhangte

Strikers: Hitesh Sharma, Daniel Lalhlimpuia, Anto Xavier, Alen Deory, Manvir Singh, Azharuddin Mullick

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