New Delhi
The Indian U17 men’s football team has been training in Srinagar for the past two weeks as they gear up for the SAFF U17 Championship in September and the AFC U17 Asian Cup Qualifiers in October. Head coach Ishfaq Ahmed is pleased with the progress so far, noting, Everything is going well, and we have no injury concerns.
With nearly two months until the SAFF U17 Championship kicks off in Thimphu, Bhutan, on September 18, the focus is currently on building fitness. Ishfaq explained, We are in ‘cycle one,’ concentrating on fitness. These young players are technically skilled, and we want them to showcase a mature style of football. Fitness is crucial for that.
The team, consisting of 32 players, includes 16 who were part of last year’s SAFF U16 Championship-winning squad. This year, however, they face tougher competition and a longer camp. After the SAFF Championship, the team will head to Thailand for the AFC U17 Asian Cup Qualifiers from October 23-27, where they will play against Brunei Darussalam, Turkmenistan, and Thailand.
Ishfaq emphasized the importance of both tournaments and expressed a desire for more friendly matches with stronger teams to prepare for the qualifiers. Scouting for the team was done through the AIFF U17 Youth League, which has proven effective in identifying talent.
