India U-23 football team to play friendly match against Qatar

03/08/2019

The Derrick Pereira-led India U-23 football team are scheduled to play a friendly match against Qatar at Doha's Aspire Academy later this year on March 11. This will be part of India's preparation for the 2020 AFC U-23 Championship Qualifiers that are slated to commence from March 22 in Thailand.

The Indian U-23 football team will go up against Qatar, whose senior team won their maiden AFC Cup title earlier this year, at Doha’s Aspire Academy on March 11. This will be Pereira’s first outing as coach of the U-23 team on the international stage.

The friendly game against fellow Asian opposition, Qatar, is a part of India's preparation for the 2020 AFC U23 Championship Qualifiers that are slated to start on March 22 in Thailand. The young Indian team will go up against the likes of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Pakistan in Group F. India will begin its campaign against the Uzbeks on March 22, followed by the tie against Tajikistan on March 24. As far as Pakistan is concerned, reports have suggested that they have pulled out of the tournament but there is no official confirmation as of now.

The Indians could have a chance to go up against members of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup-winning Qatar squad, which includes the tournament top scorer - Almoez Ali along with Bassam Al-Rawi and Akram Afif.

"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,” Pereira told Sportstar earlier.

Indian U-23 Squad:

GOALKEEPERS: Dheeraj Singh, Prabhsukhan Gill

DEFENDERS: Narender, Sarthak Golui, Wungngayam Muirang, Mehtab Singh, Anwar Ali, Asish Rai

MIDFIELDERS: Jerry M, L Chhangte, Vinit Rai, Sahal Abdul, Amarjit Singh, Deepak Tangri, Rohit Kumar, Suresh Singh, Komal Thatal, Boris Singh, Rahul KP

FORWARDS: Liston Colaco, Daniel Lalhlimpuia, Rahim Ali, Rohit Danu