Head Coach Bibiano Fernandes announced a 23-member final squad of India’s U17 team for the AFC U17 Asian Cup Thailand 2023.
The Indian U17 team will travel to Thailand on 1st June 2023 for the competition they have qualified for the ninth time. The Blue Colts have managed to reach the quarterfinal twice in 2002 and in 2018 the best performance in their tournament history. The 2023 AFC U-17 Asian Cup will be its 19th edition.
A total of 16 teams are divided into four groups with the group winners and the runners-up advancing to the knockout stage of the competition. The top four teams of the tournament will also qualify for the FIFA U-17 World Cup later this year as the AFC representatives. Japan are the defending champions having won the title five years ago.
Previous edition
India’s U17 team reached the quarterfinals in the 2018 edition but lost narrowly to South Korea with a solitary goal from Jeong Sang-bin to bow out of the competition. Then known as the AFC U16 Championship, the Blue Colts finished second in their group with the same points as winners Indonesia separated only by goal difference. India managed two draws and a win without conceding a goal from three matches. However, they scored only once in the entire competition with a stalemate in the other two that cost them the top spot.
Preparation
Bibiano Fernandes’s men made tours to Spain and then Germany as part of the preparation for the AFC U17 Asian Cup after playing two friendlies with Uzbekistan and UAE prior. They also played Qatar twice in two friendlies in February. In Spain, the U17 team faced some renowned club academies in the country like Atlético de Madrid, CD Leganés, Real Madrid CF and Getafe CF. They also picked up historical wins over the two famous clubs from Madrid. VfB Stuttgart, SSV Reutlingen, FC Augsburg and TSV Schwaben Augsburg were their opponents in Germany. Overall, India registered five wins, a draw and four losses in their tour.
Check here for India to face UAE in AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024 Qualifiers
India U17 final squad for AFC U17 Asian Cup Thailand 2023
Squad Announcement
U17s’ 23-member strong squad is ready to paint Thailand blue @afcasiancup
Read more here https://t.co/uVmjHU0zek#IndianFootball #AFCU17 pic.twitter.com/jGi5XhqFjI
Goalkeepers: Sahil, Julfikar Gazi, Pranav Sundarraman
Defenders: Ricky Meetei Haobam, Surajkumar Singh Ngangbam, Mukul Panwar, Malemngamba Singh Thokchom, Pramveer, Dhanajit Ashangbam
Midfielders: Vanlalpeka Guite, Danny Meitei Laishram, Gurnaj Singh Grewal, Korou Singh Thingujam, Lalpekhlua, Rohen Singh Chaphamayum, Omang Dodum, Faizan Waheed, Akash Tirkey, Prachit Vishwas Naik Gaonkar
Forwards: Thanglalsoun Gangte, Shashwat Panwar, Gogocha Chungkham, Lemmet Tangvah
Head Coach: Bibiano Fernandes
AFC U17 Asian Cup 2023 Group and Fixtures
Group D
Japan
India
Vietnam
Uzbekistan
Saturday, 17 June 2023
India vs Vietnam
India will begin their journey in the AFC U17 Asian Cup Thailand 2023 in a similar fashion to that of the last edition in 2018, opening the group stage against Vietnam U17. Now Mumbai City FC forward, Vikram Pratap Singh scored the only goal in the win and that was also the last the nation managed to score in the tournament. Vietnam have certainly progressed a lot from there and will throw a stiff challenge to the Blue Colts.
Tuesday, 20 June 2023
India vs Uzbekistan
This will be the third meeting for India’s U17 team with Uzbekistan U17 side this year having played two friendlies against them in January in Goa. The home nation won the first encounter 2-0 with goals from Vanlalpeka Guite and Lalpekhlua but suffered a crushing 3-0 defeat in the next one a day later. These two now lock horns in the main competition and will know each other very well.
Friday, 23 June 2023
India vs Japan
Bibiano will urge his side to seal qualification to the knockouts before facing the competition holders in the final group stage game. Being the juggernaut in Asian football, Japan will be the most difficult opposition for the Blue Colts to overcome in the tournament. Aside from the 2018 edition, the Blue Samurais won the U17 Asian Cup two more times in 1994 and 2006.
Expectation
India will most likely aim for the runners-up spot in Group D to make it to the quarterfinals of the AFC U17 Asian Cup in consecutive editions for the first time. Coach Bibiano Fernandes has already set the target to qualify for the last eight stages and anything less than that will be deemed as a failure. Reaching a first semi-final in their competition history will be a remarkable achievement considering the challenging group they are paired in. It will also give them the opportunity to play in the FIFA U17 World Cup for the first time by qualifying for the tournament. The U17 has showcased the exciting talent they have against some of the best and will be up for the battle in the competition.
