India announces 23-member squad for SAFF U-19 Championship

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• Sep 8, 2023 | Dhupali Das

National Under-19 football head coach Shuvendu Panda has unveiled the 23-member Indian squad that will represent the nation at the...

Digital Desk: National Under-19 football head coach Shuvendu Panda has unveiled the 23-member Indian squad that will represent the nation at the upcoming SAFF U-19 Championship. The tournament is set to kick off in Kathmandu on September 21, 2023, and promises to be a thrilling showcase of youth talent in the South Asian football arena.

The Indian squad, selected after rigorous evaluations and training camps, left for Saudi Arabia on Friday for an exposure-cum-training camp. Following this preparatory phase, they will make their way to the Nepal capital, Kathmandu, on September 19, where the championship will take place. The tournament will feature Group B, consisting of India, Bhutan, and Bangladesh, while Group A will include the hosts, Maldives, and Pakistan.

The format of the competition will involve a single round-robin group stage, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the semifinals. The SAFF U-19 Championship will culminate in an exciting final match scheduled for September 30.

This championship holds special significance for India, as last year, the nation hosted the event in the Under-20 category and emerged as champions, defeating Bangladesh 5-2 in a thrilling final. The Indian team is determined to continue their winning streak and claim the title in the U-19 category this time around.

Notably, the SAFF U-19 Championship was previously held in the U-19 category in 2015, also in Nepal, where the hosts secured victory over India in a dramatic penalty shootout after regulation time ended in a 1-1 stalemate.

The Indian Squad for SAFF U-19 Championship:

Goalkeepers: Lionel Daryl Rymmei, Divyaj Dhaval Thakkar and Manjot Singh Parmar.

Defenders: Thomas Kanamoottil Cherian, Jahangir Ahmad Shagoo, Vijay Marandi, A Siba Prasad, Manabir Basumatary, Surajkumar Singh Ngangbam and Ricky Meetei.

Midfielders: Manglentheng Kipgen, Ishaan Shishodia, Arjun Singh Oinam, Yash Chikro, Ebindas Yesudasan, Raja Harijan and Thumsol Tongsin.

Forwards: Gwgwmsar Goyary, Sahil Khurshid, Linky Meitei Chabungbam, Kelvin Singh Taorem, Naoba Meitei and Dinesh Singh Soubam.

With a talented and determined squad at their disposal, India's U-19 team is poised to give their best and aim for victory in the upcoming SAFF Championship. Football enthusiasts across the nation eagerly await the start of the tournament, hoping for a repeat of the success witnessed in the previous edition. The entire nation will be rallying behind the young talents as they look to make their mark on the South Asian football stage once again.