Final Up to date: January 22, 2023, 12:39 IST
Indian U-17 soccer crew (AIFF)
The Indian U-17 soccer crew will face Uzbekistan U-17s in two friendlies on the Tilak Maidan in Goa
The area of Vasco da Gama is rife with anticipation. After internet hosting a plethora of ISL and I-League matches over the previous couple of years, the Tilak Maidan is now all set to host the India U-17 Males’s Nationwide Staff who will face Uzbekistan U-17s in two Friendlies on January 22 and January 24.
Coache by Bibiano Fernandes, the Blue Colts earned their ticket to the AFC U-17 Asian Cup as Group D runners-up within the qualification spherical held in Saudi Arabia in October 2022. The crew restarted the nationwide camp in November in Goa and travelled for an publicity tour to the United Arab Emirates earlier this month, the place they performed a pleasant recreation in opposition to the hosts’ U-20 aspect, narrowly shedding 0-1.
Fernandes mentioned, “The UAE tour was quick however extraordinarily productive. It was a superb check in opposition to the UAE U-20s to verify our ranges in opposition to powerful opponents. And regardless of the outcome, I’m extraordinarily proud of the boys’ efficiency. We created quite a few clear-cut probabilities and will have even gained the sport had the ending been higher. I’m positive that with extra such video games, the boys will develop in confidence.”
As one of many 16 groups to qualify for the AFC U-17 Asian Cup, Uzbekistan are positive to offer invaluable match follow for the Blue Colts. The 12 months 2022 was a exceptional one for Jamoliddin Rakhmatullaev’s aspect, as they sealed qualification for the AFC U-17 Asian Cup with a 14-0 thrashing of Brunei Darussalam, adopted by an exciting 3-2 victory over heavyweights Korea Republic. Uzbekistan additionally completed runners-up to Iran within the CAFA U-16 Championship, lacking out on the title solely on objective distinction.
“From what we’ve seen, Uzbekistan are a particularly good aspect. They’re fast and bodily very dominant. It is going to be a superb combat and a superb alternative to verify the place we stand for the time being,” mentioned Fernandes.
“Such worldwide matches are extraordinarily essential for our preparation for the AFC U-17 Asian Cup as they offer us challenges just like those that we will anticipate on the closing event. I want to thank the AIFF and SAI for organising these matches for us,” he additional acknowledged.
Fernandes was additionally the pinnacle coach when India final confronted Uzbekistan on this age group within the 2020 AFC U-16 Championship Qualification Spherical held on the JAR Stadium within the Uzbek capital of Tashkent. It was a neck-and-neck affair, which ended 1-1, with Sridarth Nongmeikapam placing India forward within the second half earlier than the hosts equalised late on. India ended up topping the group and qualifying for the ultimate event, which was sadly cancelled as a result of COVID-19 pandemic.
Now, Fernandes has cleared the qualifying stage once more with a brand new crop of gamers. However he is aware of that it’s solely the 1st step, and he and his boys should make the perfect use of the preparation time between now and the AFC U-17 Asian Cup in the summertime.
The 2 U-17 pleasant matches between India and Uzbekistan will likely be streamed reside on the Indian Soccer YouTube channel.
Fixtures:
January 22: India U-17 vs Uzbekistan U-17, 3:30 PM IST
January 24: India U-17 vs Uzbekistan U-17, Jan 24, 8:30 PM IST
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