India drawn in Group D along with Turkmenistan Thailand and Brunei in AFC U17 Asian Cup Qualifiers

India will aim to qualify for the AFC U17 Asian Cup for the fourth successive time.

The draws for the AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2025 Qualifiers were held at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Thursday, June 13, 2024.

The Indian U17 team received their fate today as the groups for the AFC U17 Asian Cup 2025 Qualifiers were drawn. Placed in Group D, India will face Thailand (hosts), Brunei Darussalam, and Turkmenistan. This marks the beginning of the journey for the young colts to reach the Asian Cup finals to be held in Saudi Arabia next year.

India has a history of finding success in the AFC U17 Asian Cup Qualifiers. In the 2018 edition, they topped their group, showcasing their dominance in the region.

In the AFC U17 Asian Cup 2025 Qualifiers, India were drawn alongside Thailand, Brunei Darussalam and Turkmenistan in Group D, which will be hosted by Thailand between October 19-27, 2024. In total, 43 teams were divided into 10 groups – seven of four each and three of five.

The 10 group winners and five best second-placed teams among all groups will advance to the Finals, with Saudi Arabia scheduled to host the tournament between April 3-20, 2025.

India will aim to qualify for the AFC U17 Asian Cup for the fourth successive time. In their last finals appearance in 2023 in Thailand, the Blue Colts were eliminated in the group stage. India have twice reached the quarter-finals at the AFC U17 Asian Cup – in 2002 and 2018, their best showing.

The team went on to make a historic run, finishing runners-up in the tournament itself. This performance ignited a wave of optimism for Indian football.

However, the road ahead won’t be a cakewalk. Thailand, the group hosts, will enjoy home advantage and shouldn’t be underestimated. They’ve consistently qualified for the tournament in recent years, reaching the quarterfinals in 2020.

Turkmenistan, another familiar foe, has come up against India in previous qualifiers. The last encounter, in 2018, saw India emerge victorious with a convincing 5-0 win. However, football is a sport of constant evolution, and Turkmenistan shouldn’t be written off.

Brunei Darussalam might seem like the underdogs on paper. However, the qualifiers are a platform for young talents to emerge, and every team deserves respect.

For India, the key will be replicating the fighting spirit and organized gameplay that propelled them to success in the past. The team will need to adapt to the playing styles of their opponents and capitalize on their strengths.

The future of Indian football hinges on the development of these young talents. A strong performance in the qualifiers will not only provide them with valuable experience but also build confidence for the challenges ahead.

AFC U17 Asian Cup Qualifiers 2025 Draw Result:

Group A: IR Iran, Jordan (H), Syria, Hong Kong, China, DPR Korea

Group B: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia (H), Philippines, Macau

Group C: Korea Republic, China PR (H), Bahrain, Bhutan, Maldives

Group D: Thailand (H), India, Brunei Darussalam, Turkmenistan

Group E: Uzbekistan, Iraq, Chinese Taipei (H), Palestine

Group F: Japan, Qatar (H), Mongolia, Nepal

Group G: Australia, Indonesia, Kuwait (H), Northern Mariana Islands

Group H: Malaysia, Laos (H), United Arab Emirates, Lebanon

Group I: Yemen, Vietnam (H), Kyrgyz Republic, Myanmar

Group J: Tajikistan, Oman, Singapore (H), Guam

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