Now the Vasco da Gama region is brimming with hope as Uzbekistan U-17 will face two friendly matches on January 22 and 24. And after hosting several I-League and ISL matches over the years, Tilak Maidan is all set to host India’s Under-17 men’s national team. According to today’s report, India’s Under-17 Men’s National Team has hosted, we have given full details of which.
Coached by Bibiano Fernandes, the Blue Colts earned a ticket for the AFC U-17 Asia Cup in October 2022 as Group D runners-up in the qualifying round held in Saudi Arabia. The team resumed the national camp in Goa in November. An exposure tour to the United Arab Emirates earlier this month, where they played a friendly against the hosts’ U-20 team, which they lost 0–1.
Fernandes said, “The UAE tour was short but extremely productive. It was a good test against the UAE U-20s to check our levels against tough opponents. And despite the result, I am extremely happy with the boys’ performance. We created numerous clear-cut chances and could have even won the game had the finishing been better. I am sure that with more such games, the boys will grow in confidence.”
As one of the 16 teams to qualify for the AFC U-17 Asian Cup, Uzbekistan will surely be a valuable exhibition game for the Blue Colts. And 2022 was a remarkable year for Jamoliddin Rakhmatullayev’s side as they qualified for the AFC U-17 Asian Cup after beating Brunei Darussalam 14 – 0, followed by a thrilling 3-2 win over heavyweights South Africa. Uzbekistan also finished runners-up to Iran in the CAFA U-16 Championship, missing out on the title only on goal difference.
“From what we have seen, Uzbekistan are a very good team. They are fast and very physically dominant. It will be a good fight and a good opportunity to see where we are at the moment.
“International matches like these are extremely important for our preparation for the AFC U-17 Asian Cup, as they present us with challenges similar to what we can expect in the final tournament. I would like to thank AIFF and SAI for organizing this.
Fernandez was also the head coach when India faced the U-16 Championship 2020 for the last time in its age group in the qualifying rounds of the AFC U-16 Championship 2020 at JAR Stadium in Tashkent, Uzbekistan’s capital. rice field. In the second half, India took its 1–1 lead against Sridarth Nongmaipakam before the hosts equalised. India led the group and qualified for the final tournament, which was unfortunately canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Fernandez went through the qualifying stages again with a new group of riders. But he knows this is only the first step and he and his players should make the most of their preparation period for the AFC U-17 Asian Cup this summer.
Fixtures:
January 22: India U-17 vs Uzbekistan U-17, 3:30pm IST
January 24: India U-17 vs Uzbekistan U-17, January 24, 8:30 PM IST
