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India U17 Football Team to Face Qatar in Crucial Pre-Asian Cup Friendlies

The Indian U17 men's football team is set to play two friendly matches against Qatar in Doha on April 25 and 28. These matches serve as the final preparatory games before the AFC U17 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia next year. The team is currently in Thailand playing friendlies against the UAE before traveling to Qatar. In the Asian Cup's Group D, India will face Australia, Uzbekistan, and DPR Korea in May.

Key Points: India U17 Team to Play Qatar in Doha Friendlies Before Asian Cup

  • Final prep before AFC U17 Asian Cup
  • Matches in Doha behind closed doors
  • Squad traveling from Thailand to Qatar
  • Group D includes Australia, Uzbekistan, DPR Korea
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India U17 men's football team to play two friendlies against Qatar in Doha

Indian U17 men's football team will play two friendlies vs Qatar in Doha as final prep for the AFC U17 Asian Cup 2026 in Saudi Arabia.

"India's last two preparatory games before the AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026 - AIFF Release"

New Delhi, April 20

The Indian U17 football men's team will play two friendly matches against Qatar on April 25 and 28, in Doha, Qatar.

The friendlies, India's last two preparatory games before the AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026, will be played behind closed doors. Both matches will kick off at 21:30 IST, according to the All India Football Federation (AIFF) release.

The Blue Colts are currently in Thailand to play two friendlies against the United Arab Emirates, the first of which they won 1-0 on Friday.

After the second game on Tuesday, Bibiano Fernandes' side will depart for Doha on April 22. They will travel from Doha to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on April 30. In the AFC U17 Asian Cup, India will take on Australia on May 6, Uzbekistan on May 10 and DPR Korea on May 13 in Group D.

The entire 24-member Blue Colts' squad will travel to Doha. The final 23-member squad for the Asian Cup will be announced closer to the tournament.

India U17 men's friendlies schedule in Doha:21:30 IST, April 25: Qatar vs India21:30 IST, April 28: Qatar vs India.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Why are the matches behind closed doors? It's a friendly! Would have been great for our young players to experience a crowd, even a small one, before a major tournament. AIFF should reconsider this for future friendlies.
V
Vikram M
Tough group in the Asian Cup with Australia and Uzbekistan. These friendlies are crucial. Hope the team works on set-pieces and defending. Qatar has a strong youth setup, so it will be a real test. Jai Hind!
S
Sarah B
The scheduling seems intense - Thailand, then Doha, then Jeddah. I hope the management is monitoring the players' fatigue and recovery closely. Youth development is a marathon, not a sprint. Best of luck to Coach Bibiano and the team!
R
Rohit P
Finally some proper planning from AIFF! A full preparatory tour before a big tournament. This is how you build a team. Let's hope this translates into a good performance and maybe even a surprise result against Australia. 💙
K
Kavya N
Exciting times for Indian football at the youth level. The focus should be on learning and gaining experience, not just results. Even one player from this batch making it to the senior team would be a huge success. All the best, Blue Colts!

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