Ranjan Chaudhuri announces India's official squad for 2025 AFC U20 Asian Cup Qualifiers

The Blue Colts will travel to Laos for the competition.

India U-20 head coach Ranjan Chaudhuri, on Saturday, September 21, 2024, announced a 23-member squad for the 2025 AFC U-20 Asian Cup Qualifiers in Laos from September 25 to 29, 2024. The youngsters will aim to get favourable results after a disappointing campaign in the SAFF U-20 Championship a month back.

Both the coach and the team were under pressure after the title defenders tumbled out of the semi-finals on a penalty shootout loss to eventual winners Bangladesh U-20. While questions were raised about India’s inability to convert chances, even bigger issues arose regarding Ranjan Chaudhuri’s squad selection.

The latter was the more controversial topic as due to unknown reasons, the side’s biggest and most influential trailblazer, Manglengthang Kipgen, was either not started or brought on too late to influence games.

This time, however, India U-20 will have a tougher task as they go up against seasoned Asian opponents. In preparation for that Chaudhuri has selected a similar squad as last time, featuring promising youngsters like Vanlalpeka Guite, Gwgwmsar Goyary, and Monirul Molla alongside Kipgen.

The Blue Colts are placed in Group G along with Iran, Mongolia, and hosts Laos.

India U-20 squad

Goalkeepers: Divyaj Dhaval Thakkar, Sahil, Priyansh Dubey.

Defenders: Pramveer, L Hemba Meetei, Ngangbam Surajkumar Singh, Malemngamba Singh Thokchom, Dhanajit Ashangbam, Manabir Basumatary, Thomas Cherian, Sonam Tsewang Lhokham.

Midfielders: Manjot Singh Dhami, Vanlalpeka Guite, Akash Tirkey, Ebindas Yesudasan, Ishaan Shishodia, Manglenthang Kipgen.

Forwards: Kelvin Singh Taorem, Korou Singh Thingujam, Monirul Molla, Thanglalsoun Gangte, Naoba Meitei Pangambam, Gwgwmsar Goyary.

Head coach: Ranjan Chaudhuri.

India’s fixtures at AFC U-20 Asian Cup Qualifiers 2025 (all matches in Vientiane, Laos)

14:30 IST, September 25: Mongolia vs India

14:30 IST, September 27: India vs IR Iran

17:30 IST, September 29: India vs Laos

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