The Blue Colts started brightly, pressing high and looking to assert control early in the game. Suhail had a promising chance in the opening minutes after being played through by Mohammed Sanan, but his effort went wide. Just moments later, Tajikistan capitalised on their opportunity as Khaitov Azizbek struck from distance, with a deflection taking the ball past goalkeeper Mohan Raj to give the visitors the lead.

India responded positively and created multiple chances in search of an equaliser. Macarton played a key role in driving attacks, delivering dangerous balls into the box, while Suhail came close again but was denied from close range by the Tajikistan goalkeeper. The game opened up with both sides creating opportunities, but India were unable to find the finishing touch before halftime.

In the second half, India introduced fresh legs to increase their attacking threat and continued to push forward with intent. The pressure built steadily, with chances coming through crosses and set-pieces, but the Tajikistan defence held firm. Substitute Lalthankima came close with a golden opportunity, while Suhail and others continued to test the defence without success.

Despite dominating large spells and creating several openings, India were unable to convert their chances. Tajikistan remained disciplined at the back and looked dangerous on the counter, doing enough to protect their lead until the final whistle.

The result saw Tajikistan lift the Tri-Nation Championship with two wins from two matches, while India finished second after registering one victory in the tournament.

Mumbai Premier League News – Click Here

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the latest happenings in the world of Indian Football.

The post India U23 Fall Short Against Tajikistan in Tri-Nation Decider appeared first on Football Counter.

After a brief training camp in Bengaluru, the Blue Colts landed in the Indonesian capital on the afternoon of Wednesday, October 8. Both matches will be played at the Gelora Bung Karno Madya Stadium in Jakarta, and will kick off at 18:30 IST.

India U23’s squad for friendlies against Indonesia in October 2025:

Goalkeepers: Dipesh Chauhan, Mohanraj K, Priyansh Dubey.

Defenders: Bikash Yumnam, Dippendu Biswas, Harsh Arun Palande, Muhammed Saheef AP, Ricky Meetei Haobam, Roshan Singh Thangjam, Sanatomba Singh Yanglem, Sumit Sharma Brahmacharimayum.

Midfielders: Ayush Dev Chhetri, Bekey Oram, Danny Meitei Laishram, Lalrinliana Hnamte, Mohammed Aimen, Vibin Mohanan.

Forwards: Muhammed Suhail, Korou Singh Thingujam, Parthib Sundar Gogoi, Sreekuttan MS, Suhail Ahmad Bhat, Thoi Singh Huidrom.

Head coach: Naushad Moosa
Assistant coach: Noel Wilson
Goalkeeping coach: Sathiesh Kumar
Strength and conditioning coach: Diwakar Manohar

India U23’s Match Schedule:

October 10: Indonesia vs India (18:30 IST)
October 13: Indonesia vs India (18:30 IST)

Venue: Gelora Bung Karno Madya Stadium, Jakarta

Credits: AIFF Media

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the latest happenings in the world of Indian Football.

The post India U23 men’s head coach Naushad Moosa names 23-member squad for Indonesia friendlies appeared first on Football Counter.

“I’m feeling privileged to be involved with the National Team. It’s a great honor for me and I’m excited about this opportunity. Throughout my career, I have always accepted newer challenges and I’ll take this on as well,” Pereira expressed on the sidelines of the ongoing preparatory camp in Goa.

“Since starting my coaching career with Vasco in the second division, I have always grabbed the opportunities that have come my way. I feel that is God’s plan for me.”

Pereira, who was at the helm of Vasco Sports Club during 2000-05 before switching to Mahindra United Club, has taken up the charge of India U-23 National Team before the U-23 continental championship qualifiers which will be held in Tashkent in Uzbekistan.

Meanwhile, Pereira lauded the former coach Stephen Constantine’s philosophy of “building the team for future” too, “That’s the way we should follow to go one step up. Our youngsters are enough talented but they need proper exposure against tougher teams. There must be a long-term plan for the future.”

He added, “Even our senior team have gelled so well because they know each other well. They understand each other well. It takes time but we need to focus on that. We have to give them time and most importantly, believe in the players.”

Apart from Anirudh Thapa, who scored a sublime goal against Thailand, Vinit Rai and Sarthak Golui were also part of the 23-member squad that represented the country in AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019.

On being asked how valuable would be these players for this upcoming competition, the 56-year-old coach mentioned, “Experience always counts. Yes, they have been with the senior team for the considerable time and they would bring in the much-needed experience to guide the young boys.”

He, along with assistant coach Venkatesh Shanmugam are now focused to find the right combination as soon as possible so that they can start planning around the players before the qualifiers.

“We have to finalize the final squad out of the players available. Then, we would need to frame the starting XI as well as the replacements. We have to improve tactically as well as technically. Simultaneously, we would look to adapt to the style of football which will help us develop as a team as well as get the best possible result.”

India will travel to Tashkent to lock horns with Tajikistan and Uzbekistan in the Group F of the AFC U-23 Championship qualifiers scheduled between March 22 and 24, 2019.

AIFF MEDIA

Also Read: When life came full circle for Pereira at Tilak Maidan!

Also Read: Old brigade re-unite as India seek maiden AFC U-23 Championship berth

The post Being India U-23 coach is a ‘great honor’: Derrick Pereira appeared first on Football Counter.

Newly-appointed India U-23 National Team coach Derrick Pereira has a coincidental but fascinating connection with the Tilak Maidan in Goa where the youngsters are preparing for the forthcoming AFC U-23 Championship qualifiers.

The 56-year-old coach started his playing career with Mangor Sports Club (Vasco) when he was just 15 years old. After playing for the Vasco-based club for two years, he got a call-up from Mundvel Club who were regulars in the Goa Senior Division League.

Within one year, Pereira got his first professional contract from none other than Salgaocar FC before he blew out the 18th year candle. Thereafter, he got his coaching credentials and now has been appointed as the U-23 Head Coach, one can only wonder the importance of Tilak Maidan in his life.

“Even I couldn’t believe it first when I came to know that practice sessions will be held at the Tilak Maidan for this camp. My professional playing career started here, even my first coaching (National stage) session I took here and now our first National team assignment too. It’s a nice coincidence, I must say and I’ll relive it always,” Pereira shared with www.the-aiff.com.

“After playing for Mangor and Mundvel for three years, it was really great, especially, for a 17-year-old boy like me to get a contract from Salgaocar. During the days in Mangor, we used to play at the Tilak Maidan only,” Pereira recalled.

On being asked about his first match, he rattled, “It was in January 1981 and the match was against Vasco. I was a little nervous thinking about playing at the Tilak Maidan again, that too against Vasco. Unfortunately, I miscalculated an aerial ball in the 10th minute and got a deep cut on my forehead. Coach didn’t think twice to replace me.”

After hanging his boots in 1999, he started assisting Norbert Gonsalves who was the coach of Salgaocar U-19 team. Then, after a short stint with the Goa U-21 team as the team manager, he was offered the coaching role of Vasco Sports Club. And from there, as they say, the rest is history.

“I say, it was nothing but God’s plan for me. Peter Vales took me as the team manager to Dumka (Jharkhand) with the Goa U-21 team. After coming back, Vasco offered me to coach their team for a week. I didn’t think twice before saying yes and there started my coaching career, that too at the very Tilak Maidan,” Pereira took a walk down the memory lane gleefully.

After qualifying for the National Football League from the Second Division in the 2000-01 season, Pereira continued with Vasco Sports Club for 5 years before taking up the reins of the star-studded Mahindra United Club in 2005. 19 years after starting his coaching career, the former international defender has been provided with his first-ever national team assignment to take the U-23 boys to the first-ever continental championship finals.

“After 15-20 years, it’ll be an interesting tale to share with my grandchildren, I must say”, Pereira said while he burst out in laughter, “Probably, it was something which God had planned for me beforehand. I have grown at this ground and now, it’s great to have the training sessions here before the Asian Championship.”

The India U-23 contingent will play a friendly match against Qatar U-23 National Team in Doha on March 11, 2019.

AIFF MEDIA

Also Read: Old brigade re-unite as India seek maiden AFC U-23 Championship berth

Also Read: Indian U-17 World Cup star to train at English Championship side Blackburn Rovers

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for all the latest happenings in the world of Indian football.

The post When life came full circle for Pereira at Tilak Maidan! appeared first on Football Counter.

Back to 1997, Derrick Pereira and Venkatesh Shanmugam had been two of the pivotal members of the Salgaocar FC squad who won the Federation Cup overpowering East Bengal at their den, Salt Lake Stadium.

Fast forward 8 years, the same Venkatesh, who is fondly known as Venky was playing under the stewardship of the same Derrick Pereira in the star-studded Mahindra United club who had tasted every single silverware in India during their era. In 2008, they reunited once again in Pune FC before Venkatesh hung his boots in 2014.

“Venky was someone who had always contributed to the team and I really liked his style and game reading. He was an intelligent player throughout.”

Cut to 2019, these two football masterminds have joined hands together once again, but for a different purpose, for a different cause.

As the All India Football Federation has handed Derrick Pereira the daunting task of sailing India to their first-ever AFC U-23 Championship in history, no one could have been the most suitable football mind to share his acumen than the former National skipper Venkatesh Shanmugam.

“Now that both of us are together, we feel we’ll be complementing each other. Venky brings in a huge experience of working with Stephen Constantine which has helped him evolve as a coach with time. Given the circumstances, I’m sure we’ll enjoy the journey ahead”, Pereira stated.

“I still remember the Federation Cup win for Salgaocar FC, beating East Bengal in Kolkata was not easy and we felt like being at the top of the world. We have come a long way since then and now we have reunited once again”, Venkatesh commented.

Venkatesh added further, “Derrick Sir had accomplished a lot as a coach and as far as I know him, I feel it’ll be a great opportunity for these young boys to learn from this great football mind.”

On the other hand, goalkeeping coach Gumpe Rime had also plied his trade under Pereira in Vasco for a year (2000-01).

Pereira recalled, “Gumpe was a really tough goalkeeper and he was always eager to learn. Unfortunately, an injury cut short his time in Vasco and we brought in Rogerio Ramos. It’s great to work with him once again”.

Incidentally, Rogerio Ramos happened to be the former goalkeeping coach for India National Team for the last four years (2015-19).

“It’s my second stint with National Team setup and I am privileged to get this opportunity once again. Derrick Sir is someone who I always had high regards for and I can’t wait to start working with him as well as the young promising goalies”, Rime added too.

India are pitted against hosts Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Pakistan in the AFC U-23 Championship 2020 qualifiers which is scheduled at Tashkent between March 22 and 26, 2019.

AIFF MEDIA

Also Read: Indian U-17 World Cup star to train at English Championship side Blackburn Rovers

Also Read:INDIA U-23 NATIONAL TEAM CAMP KICKS-OFF IN GOA

The post Old brigade re-unite as India seek maiden AFC U-23 Championship berth appeared first on Football Counter.

The passionate group of Indian Football fans arranged a warm welcome for the Stephen Constantine-coached team, which was nothing but ‘appreciated’ by the British coach.

“It’s great to see Indians supporting the team and we appreciate it”, Constantine said to www.the-aiff.com referring to the enthusiasm shown by the members of Qatar Indian Association for Football.

Mr. Safeer, an integral member of the QIA, sounded elated welcoming the youngsters at the Hamad International Airport as they arrived from Singapore.

“It’s our duty to back our team when they are coming to play in Qatar. The onus is on us to make them feel at home so that they can get the extra motivation.”

Constantine also felt that this sort of support “surely adds to the feeling of wanting to do your best.”

The Qatar-based Indian Football Fanatics are relentlessly working to making more people aware of the AFC U23 Championship Qualifiers so that more Indians come out in numbers in support of the Indian boys.

Incidentally, Indians rake up to almost 27% of Qatar’s entire population.

“We’ll try to put up some bill boards and distribute some handouts amongst the various Indian communities along with sharing more information on the social media.”

India is slated to face Syria in their first match of the AFC U23 Championship Qualifiers at the Al-Sadd Stadium in Doha on July 19, 2017.

The post India U23 contingent receive warm welcome in Qatar appeared first on Football Counter.

His assist for the winning goal against FC Goa in the Indian Super League Final has further proved his ability at big stage. Moreover, his recent performance for Mumbai FC in the ongoing season of HERO I-league is also one of the reasons behind his selection.

India who have been clubbed alongside Sri Lanka and Maldives in Group A and will clash swords against Sri Lanka in their opening fixture on February 06, 2016 before taking on Maldives on February 10, 2016.

The initial list of 21 Players have already joined the Preparatory Camp in Guwahati, which has already commenced from January 31, 2016.

The 28 member squad will further be trimmed down to 20 and will be announced either on 4th or the 5th.

The list of the 28 Probables is as follows:

Goalkeepers: Amrinder Singh, Rehenesh Paramba, Kamaljit Singh.

Defenders: Pritam Kotal, Sandesh Jhingan, Narayan Das, Kaushik Sarkar, Bikramjit Singh, Abhishek Das, Nikhil Poojary, Samad Ali Mallik, Prabir Das, Aiborlang Khongjee.

Midfielders: Sumit Passi, Jayesh Rane, Pronoy Halder, Amoes Thiruvanathanadhah, Lallialzuala Chhangte, Germanpreet Singh, Mawihmingthanga, Zodingliana, Rowlin Borges Vinit Rai, Udanta Singh .

Forwards: Halicharan Narzary, T. Haokip, Salam Ranjan Singh , Jeje Lalpekhlua.

The post Jayesh Rane gets the cut in India U23 probable squad for 12th South Asian Games appeared first on Football Counter.