India U23 aim to kick off AFC U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers on positive note against Bahrain

The Naushad Moosa-led side will face Bahrain in the first match of the qualifiers.

India U23 football team will take on Bahrain in the opening fixture of the AFC U23 Asian Cup qualifiers on September 3 at the Suheim bin Hamad Stadium in Doha, at 20:45 IST.

This will be the first of three matches in the qualifiers. India U23 have been placed in Group H alongside Qatar, Bahrain, and Brunei.

The Blue Colts have had two separate camps in the lead-up to the Qualifiers. In June, they played two friendly games against Tajikistan (2-3 defeat) and Kygryz Republic (0-0 draw) in Tajikistan. They had a 20-day camp at the Padukone-Dravid Centre for Sports Excellence in Bengaluru in August.

In the last week of August, the India U23s travelled to Malaysia to play two closed-door friendly games against Iraq, where they lost 1-2 and 1-3, respectively.

India U23 have some key players missing and that might have an impact on their campaign in the qualifiers. Naushad Moosa would have to steer the ship in troubled waters. In Bahrain, they have a tricky opposition to face, but if they manage to pull off a result, that will work wonders for the morale of the team going into the second game against Qatar.

Also Read: Naushad Moosa announces India U23 squad for AFC U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers

The Stakes

India

India U23 have never qualified for the AFC U23 Asian Cup, and that will play in the minds of Indian boys. Naushad Moosa has a steep mountain to climb with a depleted side. All he will bank on is the plethora of talent that he has at his disposal. But talent alone won’t take them to the main tournament. The temperament to withstand the pressure on occasions as big as the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers will be crucial.

The encounter against Bahrain can make or break the campaign for India U23. Three points in this fixture would give them the push they require, considering extracting points against Qatar would be a Herculean task.

India recently played two friendlies against Iraq, and that might have prepared them for the intensity they would experience in the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers. With four best second-placed sides qualifying for the tournament, each point becomes significant.

Bahrain

This qualifier round is extremely important for Bahrain as well. They have qualified for the AFC U23 Asian Cup only once, in 2020. The qualifiers have always proved to be an obstacle for Bahrain’s aspirations to participate AFC U23 Asian Cup.

This time, Bahrain have been placed in a group where they can fight and manage to confirm their second place in the group behind Qatar. Bahrain are at par with India in terms of quality, which means it would be a tight contest. This encounter is a must-win for the Reds if they aim to finish in the top two.

Team News

Both teams have their full squad available with no expected injuries.

Probable Lineup

India U23

Sahil Poonia (GK); Ricky Meitei, Bikash Yumnam (C), Pramveer Singh, Muhammed Saheef; Lalrinliana Hnamte, Lalremtluanga Fanai, Macarton Nickson; Md Suhail, Parthib Gogoi, Sanan

Player to watch

Pramveer (India U23)

The 18-year-old centre back from Punjab FC can be a revelation for India in the tournament. Pramveer burst onto the scene last season with a considerable number of appearances in the Indian Super League. Starting almost half a season in a crucial position like the centre back as an 18-year-old is a massive feat. He justified his place in Punjab’s starting XI with his consistent performances in the central defense.

The tall defender has a strong presence in the backline. His ability to anticipate the movement of the opposition attackers puts him in a comfortable position on the pitch. The youngster does not look flustered when put under pressure.

His aerial presence makes him a threat in the final third on set-piece occasions. Coming off an impressive Durand Cup campaign, Pramveer would be eager to replicate his performance in the AFC U23 Asian Cup qualifiers.

Where and how to watch India U23 vs Bahrain U23 live?

The Indian fans would desperately want to back their boys in a

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