Top 3 players to watch out for India in SAFF U17 Championship

India will look to bolster their preparation ahead of the AFC U17 Asian Cup Qualifiers.

After a strong show from the senior men’s team and the U23 side, it is now time for the Indian U-17 side to continue the momentum. With Bibiano Fernandes back at the helm, the U17 boys are expected to produce impressive results. Before taking on the challenge of the AFC U17 Asian Cup Qualifiers, Bibiano’s boys are tasked with defending their SAFF U17 Championship title.

The U17 team’s performance is the perfect barometer to judge the progression of the talent pool in Indian Football. With each batch, the technical skills and game awareness are expected to surge. In this article, we will look at the three youngsters from the current U17 team who can make their mark in the SAFF U17 Championship.

Also Read: India U17 head coach Bibiano Fernandes names 23-man squad for SAFF U17 Championship

Thokchom Diamond Singh

One of the most highly anticipated players from the U17 team is Thokchom Diamond Singh. The talented No.10 has amassed impressive numbers in the AIFF U17 Youth League. His creativity will be a reliable asset for the team in the SAFF U17 Championship.

In the last two seasons, he has made 12 appearances and scored 10 goals, which reflects his clinical conversion prowess. Along with the forwards, he will be handed the responsibility to trouble the opposition defenses with his precision passes and vision.

R Lawmsangzuala

An exciting left-back to keep the Indian defensive unit intact. R Lawmsangzuala is one of the multiple players from the AIFF FIFA Talent Academy who have earned their place in the squad for the SAFF U17 Championship. In the last few years, we have seen some promising left-backs rising from the youth ranks and Lawmsangzuala might be the next one.

The SAFF U17 Championship will not be a daunting task for the defender, but it will be a dress rehearsal before the AFC U17 Asian Cup Qualifiers, where India will face robust West Asian sides like Iran. A solid campaign in the SAFF U17 Championship will augur well for the youngster.

Kamgouhao Doungel

Moving from the backline to the attacking front, we have Kamgouhao Doungel to keep our eyes on. The Manipuri forward has been among the goals in the last couple of seasons. He will be the main man for India going upfront.

In the 2023/24 season, Doungel netted 23 times in just 11 matches in the AIFF Youth League. This stat is enough to highlight his potential as a goalscoring threat. With teams like Bangladesh growing in defensive solidity, the SAFF U17 Championship would provide Doungel an opportunity to sharpen his goalscoring instincts before the AFC U17 Asian Cup Qualifiers.

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