AFC U-17 Asian Cup: India engulfed in Group D

The Blue Colts are eyeing a spot in the FIFA U-17 World Cup.

India have been placed in Group D of the AFC U-17 Asian Cup Thailand 2023, which was announced at the draw ceremony of the tournament, held in Bangkok, Thailand, on Thursday, March 30, 2023.

India have been drawn against Japan, Vietnam and Uzbekistan in Group D of the tournament.

India head coach speaks after AFC U-17 Asian Cup draw

Head coach Bibiano Fernandes said, “We are all excited with the group that we got at the draw. We will be facing some quality opponents, and the boys are really looking forward to it. Every footballer at every level wants to play against the best, and Japan are certainly one of the best in Asia.

“Our previous batches have of course played against the teams like Uzbekistan and Vietnam, and we have had some good results against them, so we are very hopeful to reach our goal, which is to be the first Indian team to qualify for the (FIFA U-17) World Cup,” he said.

The top two teams from each group will progress to the knockout stages, which consist of the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final. The four teams that make it to the semi-finals will qualify for the FIFA U-17 World Cup Peru 2023.

The AFC U-17 Asian Cup, which is set to commence on June 15, will be held across four venues – Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok, Thammasat Stadium and BG Stadium, Pathum Thani, and Chonburi Stadium, Chonburi.

Group D: Japan, India, Vietnam, Uzbekistan.