Top 5 players to watch out for India in AFC U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers

India will play their first match in the qualifiers against Bahrain.

One thing that has proved to be an insurmountable challenge for India is the qualification for the AFC U23 Asian Cup. India have never featured in the competition, which is a startling fact. The senior team has played in the AFC Asian Cup multiple times, but for some reason, the doors of the AFC U23 Asian Cup have never opened for India.

Naushad Moosa and his boys have an opportunity of a lifetime to create history by qualifying for the AFC U23 Asian Cup. India will start the qualifying campaign on Tuesday against Bahrain. All eyes will be on the talented bunch of players, ready to make their mark. In this article, we will look into the top 5 players to watch out for India in the AFC U23 Asian Cup qualifiers.

Parthib Gogoi

Parthib Gogoi is the name that a lot of Indian fans will put their money on. The young highlander recently capped off a victorious Durand Cup campaign for NorthEast United FC. The 22-year-old also scored a goal in the final, living up to the expectations of the Highlander Brigade. Now is the time for him to replicate such performances in national colours.

Naushad Moosa will expect creativity from Parthib on the attacking front. Conversion has been the Achilles heel for India in competitions like these. Parthib will have to be sharp with his conversion, as he would not have too many scoring opportunities against teams like Qatar.

Pramveer

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 make a name for himself in the AFC U23 Asian Cup qualifiers.

Bikash Yumnam

Another centre-back who will have fans backing him is the captain, Bikash Yumnam. He is one of those players on the team who have regularly played in the Indian Super League. At the age of 21, Bikash has become the first-choice centre back for his club. He is prepared to compete at the top level.

The Indian defense will be tested in the qualifiers. It will be a tough test for players like Yumnam to keep their composure in situations when the backs are against the wall. As a captain, he will have the dual responsibility to marshal the defense. Fans will also keep a track of his performance as he is one of the prospects for the senior team as well.

Mohammed Sanan

The Jamshedpur FC winger has been one of the brightest prospects in the Indian Super League in the last two seasons. With 9 goals and 3 assists since the 2023/24 season, the winger has displayed his goalscoring prowess. For Khalid Jamil, Sanan was one of the most crucial creative assets.

The element of directness in his game makes him a tough man to mark for the defenders. With the ball at his feet, Sanan likes to make progressive advances without holding back his creative instincts. This has paid off for him in the ISL. However, the stage of the AFC U23 Asian Cup qualifiers will demand more of him in terms of temperament. It will be interesting to see whether the pressure of the occasion will have an impact on his game.

Lalremtluanga Fanai

The Bengaluru FC player will be a key figure in the midfield for India. Lalremtluanga Fanai was instrumental for BFC in the previous Indian Super League season. The 20-year-old midfielder from Mizoram does not have a daunting presence in the midfield, but his ability to read the game makes him stand apart.

The technical acumen that Fanai has will prove to be crucial against a team like Qatar that will not let India have much of the possession. In those situations, it is important for players to play correct passes to build an effective attack. This is a massive opportunity for Fanai to prove that he just does not have the promise but also the potential to deliver on the big stage.

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