Top five players to watch in India U-23 squad for upcoming Malaysia friendlies

India U-23 football team under Naushad Moosa are gearing up to play friendlies against Malaysia.

The Indian Men’s U-23 team is going to play two friendly matches against Malaysia on the 22nd and 25th of March. A 26-member probables was declared on March 14, following which a training camp was set up from March 15 in New Delhi, under the supervision of the head coach Naushad Moosa, assistant coach Noel Wilson and goalkeeping coach Dipankar Choudhury.

The final team of 23 members have been declared and the players with the coaching staff have also left for Kuala Lumpur for the upcoming fixture. There are quite several new young faces who have displayed their spectacular skills in the ISL and impressed the management. In the team, certain players are being closely observed for their performances and may be considered for the senior national team in the future.

In this article, we will have a look at the top five players to watch in the India U-23 squad for the friendlies.  

5. Prabhsukhan Singh Gill

The goalkeeper from East Bengal has been a noteworthy discovery of the season. His consistent and exceptional performances have made him a valuable member of the squad. His adeptness at thwarting opponents’ attacks has resulted in him securing a regular position in the team. 

Notably, the young goalkeeper has maintained seven clean sheets in 19 matches during this season in the ISL.

4. Narender Gahlot

The centre-back has demonstrated outstanding performance in the current season, exhibiting a near-perfect ball recovery rate and clearance in the matches played so far. His prowess on the field has made him a formidable presence. Having represented the senior national team in four matches, he notably scored a goal against Syria in 2019.

3. Isak Vanlalruatfela

Game by game, Isak’s performance in the midfield has shown considerable improvement, solidifying his pivotal role in the team. His contributions to Odisha FC have been outstanding, reflecting significant progress in his game. 

As he continues to excel, he is a player worthy of close attention in the upcoming friendly matches. Furthermore, Isak has notably scored two goals and provided two assists in the current Indian Super League (ISL) season.

2. Ninthoinganba Meetei

The right winger of Chennaiyin FC is a player worthy of attention. He has consistently featured for the Chennai side this season and has also secured two goals. At 22 years old, he excels in creating scoring opportunities for his team from the right flank, delivering precise crosses when needed. 

His inclination towards long ball plays over short passes in the opponent’s half may pose a challenge in the long term, but he is poised to be a valuable asset for the U-23 Indian side in the upcoming matches.

1. Parthib Sundar Gogoi

Parthib Gogoi commenced the season impressively, netting three goals in NorthEast United FC’s first three matches in the 2023-24 ISL. Subsequently, he added another goal to his tally and contributed an assist in the 15 matches he has participated in this year. It is anticipated that he may assume the role of center-forward in future matches. 

His standout attributes include his adept dribbling skills and his prowess in ground duels, which enables him to maintain an active presence in the game.

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