AFC U-17 Asian Cup 2023: Japan vs India Live Updates

5:00 PM: Hello everyone and welcome to Khel Now’s LIVE COVERAGE of the Japan vs India match in the AFC U-17 Asian Cup 2023. The kick-off is just thirty minutes away! I’m your host Aishwarya Chakraborty, and I’ll be keeping you company through what promises a fascinating evening of football. Please wait for 30 Seconds for the Live blog to load.

AFC U-17 Asian Cup 2023: Japan vs India - Build-up

It’s now or never for India at the AFC U-17 Asian Cup as they find themselves on the brink of the exit of the tournament. Only a miracle can save the Blue Colts. The young side were handed a heartbreaking 1-0 defeat by Uzbekistan in their second group stage fixture. 

Their loss to Uzbekistan means that they are now third on the table and only a win against plus a marginal defeat for Uzbekistan can seal their place in the knockouts. Next up, Bibiano Fernandes’ boys will face their biggest challenge against defending champions Japan. 

The Stakes

Japan

Japan are the defending champions of the AFC U-17 Asian Cup and are also one of the favorites to win the tournament and defend their title. They started their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Uzbekistan where they displayed a good performance.

But they chose to tear Vietnam apart in their next game and sent a warning to all the teams in the tournament that they mean business. They sealed the game with an emphatic 4-0 victory and virtually kept one foot into the knockouts. 

India

It’s a do-or-die situation for India. After the defeat against Uzbekistan, the equation for India to qualify for the next round has become even trickier. India have to win against Japan while hoping that Vietnam do them a favour by defeating Uzbekistan by a narrow margin.

However, both scenarios are very unlikely to happen. India were considered to be one of the two teams to make it out of their group. Bibiano’s team has crashed miserably and now find themselves in an unwanted situation.

Team & Injury News

Both teams are expected to have fully fit squads going into their final group stage clash.

Head-to-head

It will be the first ever clash between India and Japan (at an underage level).

Predicted Line-ups

Japan (4-4-2)

Wataru Goto (GK); Shotaro Shibata, Kaito Tsuchiya, Kotaro Honda, Keita Kosugi (C); Joi Yamamoto, Shungo Sugiura, Yotaro Nakajima, Ryunosuke Sato; Kohei Mochizuki, Yutaka Michiwaki

India (4-2-3-1)

Sahil Poonia (GK); Mukul Panwar, Suraj Kumar, Ricky Meitei, Malemngamba Singh Thokchom; Danny Meitei, Gurnaj Singh Grewal; Lalpekhua, Vanlalpeka Guite, Korou Singh Thingujam (C); Thanglalsoun Gangte