India U23 vs Tajikistan U23 lineups, team news, prediction & preview

India U23 players had been camping in Kolkata since June 1 before travelling.

The India U23 national team is back in action when they travel to Tajikistan to face off against the Tajikistan U23 national team on Wednesday, June 18 (2025) at the Hisor Central Stadium, Hisor.

This will be the Blue Colts’ first match in the year 2025 and their first since playing two closed-door friendlies against Malaysia back in March 2024. Naushad Moosa’s side will be gunning for glory to build some momentum, but face a stern test against a talented and unpredictable Tajikistan side.

Also Read: India U23 football team head coach Naushad Moosa announces 23-member squad Tajikistan & Kyrgyz Republic clashes

The Stakes

Tajikistan U23 National Team

The Tajikistan U23 side had a relatively underwhelming outing in the 2024 U-23 AFC Asian Cup, winning only one of their three matches and getting eliminated in the group stages. They are gunning to gain some positive momentum ahead of the 2026 U-23 Asian Cup qualifiers, which is why getting a win over India is so important for them.

Khodadad Azizi will be eager for his side to produce an energetic and efficient display, and he’ll look to motivate his players to put their best feet forward. He will urge his side to bomb India’s backline with quick, incisive attacking moves to put on an entertaining display. A big win can definitely help raise the overall morale and confidence within the Tajikistan U-23 set-up, but a bitter loss can pose questions on the squad before the qualifiers.

India U23 National Team

The India U23 National Football Team are embarking on a new journey under head coach Naushad Moosa and there is a lot of excitement around this set of players. There are a number of well-known young Indian players involved in the squad who performed strongly in the Indian Super League (ISL). Moosa will urge his players to play with freedom, but also  maintain a compact defensive shape to frustrate the hosts.

He will be urging his players to be sharp with their pressing and be decisive in winning back the ball in key areas and bursting forward on blistering counter-attacks. He will need his boys to be clinical in taking up their chances to get a positive result. A win away to Tajikistan can definitely raise the self-belief within the squad, but a disappointing defeat could halt the progress made by Moosa with the players.

Team News

The Tajikistan U23 team are not suffering from any injury issues right now and should bring a strong squad for the upcoming clash.

India U23 have also named a strong 23-man squad for the tour of Tajikistan. Some notable absentees from the squad include Punjab FC youngsters Manglenthang Kipgen and Muhammed Suhail.

Head-to-Head Record

Tajikistan U23 and India U23 have faced off against one another twice in the past. Out of that, Tajikistan have won both games.

Matches Played – 2

Tajikistan U23 wins – 2

Draws – 0

India U23 wins – 0

Predicted Lineups

Tajikistan U23 (4-2-3-1):

Safarmad Gafforov (GK), Khaydar Sattorov, Shokhrukh Sangov, Alisher Shukurov, Dzhonibek Sharipov, Amadoni Kamalov, Ruslan Khayloev, Jomi Nazarov, Abdullo Sharipov, Tokhirdzhon Tagoyzoda, Mekhron Madaminov

India U23 (4-2-3-1):

Priyansh Dubey (GK), Nikhil Barla, Dippendu Biswas, Bikash Yumnam, Abhishek Singh, Ayush Chhetri, Vibin Mohanan, Mohammed Aimen, Korou Singh, Parthib Gogoi, Suhail Bhat

Players to Watch

Mekhron Madaminov (Tajikistan U23)

Mekhron Madaminov has been a bright player for the Tajikistan U23 national team in the few matches he’s been featured in. He has made five appearances for them so far, and even scored a goal in the loss to Iraq U23 in the 2024 U23 AFC Asian Cup. Madaminov is a speedy forward with plenty of tricks up his sleeve, being able to power past defenders with his impressive movement.

He can play in a variety of roles and managed two assists in nine games for Bargchi Hisor in the Taijikistan top division in the 2024-25 season. He’ll use to use his clever playing style to outwit the Indian defenders, create big chances with his accurate passes and also sneak into the empty pockets in the final third to enhance his side’s goal threat.

Suhail Bhat (India U23)

Suhail Bhat is coming off recently making his debut for the Indian senior national team and is ready to spearhead the frontline for the under-23 team. The Mohun Bagan forward enjoyed a pretty prolific 2024-25 season in which he made a significant impact in the cup competitions. The young forward scored two goals in three Durand Cup matches and also twice in two Super Cup matches to impress for the Mariners.

Bhat is a really hard-working forward who is ready to cover a lot of ground and his impressive positional sense can help torment the Tajikistan defenders. He will look to link-up nicely with his teammates to help his side forward and also get at the end of chances inside the box to clinically finish chances and help his side get a big result.

Did you know?

• The last time that India U23 faced off against Tajikistan U-23 was back in 24 March, 2019 – where they suffered a 2-0 loss.
• India U23’s last competitive win came in the 2022 Asian Cup against Bangladesh U23 (on 21 September, 2023).
• The current India U23 has three players to have already debuted for the senior team in Suhail Bhat, Ayush Chhetri and Abhishek Singh.

Broadcast Details

The friendly match between Tajikistan U23 National Team and India U23 National Team will take place on Wednesday, 18 June 2025. It will kick off at 20:30 PM IST. There is still no broadcasting information about this particular game.

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