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Key Points

The Indian U23 men's team suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat against Iraq in a closed-door friendly match. Mohammed Sanan found the net for India after Iraq had taken an early lead. The match was evenly contested for the most part before Iraq scored the decisive goal late in the game. This friendly serves as preparation for India's upcoming AFC U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers where they'll face Bahrain, Qatar, and Brunei.

Key Points: India U23 Football Team Loses 2-1 to Iraq in Friendly Match

  • Mohammed Sanan scored India's only goal in the 39th minute
  • Iraq secured victory with a 72nd-minute winner from Mustafa Nawaf Zai
  • Team is preparing for AFC U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers in Doha
  • Squad has been training at Padukone Dravid Centre in Bengaluru
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India U23s suffer narrow defeat against Iraq in preparatory friendly

India U23s fell 2-1 to Iraq in a preparatory friendly in Kuala Lumpur. Mohammed Sanan scored for India. The team prepares for AFC U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers.

"The majority of the match was evenly contested before Mustafa Nawaf Zai scored the winner for Iraq in the 72nd minute. - AIFF Match Report"

New Delhi, August 26

The Indian U23 men's team lost 1-2 against Iraq U23 in a closed-door friendly match at the UM Arena Stadium in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, as per the official website of All India Football Federation (AIFF).

Mohammed Sanan scored the only goal for the Blue Colts in the 39th minute after Dhulfiqar Younus had handed Iraq the lead in the 36th. The majority of the match was evenly contested before Mustafa Nawaf Zai scored the winner for Iraq in the 72nd minute.

India will play another closed-door friendly against Iraq on August 28 in Kuala Lumpur.

Coached by Naushad Moosa, India are preparing for the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers to be held from September 3-9 in Doha, where the Blue Colts will face Bahrain (September 3), hosts Qatar (September 6), and Brunei Darussalam (September 9).

The Blue Colts have been training at the Padukone Dravid Centre for Sports Excellence in Bengaluru for the better part of a month, and after the two friendlies, will proceed to Doha, Qatar, for the Qualifiers.

India U23's starting XI versus Iraq: Mohd Arbaz (GK), Bikash Yumnam (C), Pramveer, Muhammed Saheef, Vibin Mohanan, Mohammed Sanan, Chingangbam Shivaldo Singh, Muhammad Suhail, Fanai Lalremtluanga, Sahil Harijan, Ricky Meetei Haobam.

India U23 men's squad for Iraq friendlies in Kuala Lumpur:

Goalkeepers: Sahil, Muhammed Arbaaz.

Defenders: Haobam Ricky Meetei, Bikash Yumnam, Muhammed Saheef, Pramveer, Yanglem Sanatomba Singh, Subham Bhattacharya.

Midfielders: Lalremtluanga Fanai, Vinith Venkatesh, Lalrinliana Hnamte, Vibin Mohanan, Ayush Dev Chhetri, Macarton Louis Nickson, Manglenthang Kipgen, Soham Naveen Varshneya.

Forwards: Chingangbam Shivaldo Singh, Mohammed Aimen, Muhammad Suhail F, Mohammed Sanan K, Parthib Sundar Gogoi, Sahil Harijan, Harsh Arun Palande, M.S. Sreekuttan.

Head coach: Naushad Moosa.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

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Priya S
Good to see Mohammed Sanan scoring! These friendlies are perfect preparation before the qualifiers. Hope the team learns from this and comes back stronger in the next match against Iraq 🇮🇳⚽
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Arjun K
Why are these matches closed-door? Would have loved to watch our young talents play. AIFF should arrange streaming for such important preparation matches. We need to support our future stars!
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Sarah B
The squad looks promising with players from across India. Good mix of experience from ISL clubs. Hope they can get a positive result against Bahrain in the qualifiers - that match will be crucial for progression.
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Vikram M
Conceding in the 72nd minute shows we need to work on fitness and concentration in the later stages. But overall, holding Iraq to a close match is encouraging. All the best for the qualifiers, boys! 💙
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Michael C
Good exposure for the youngsters. Playing against quality Middle Eastern teams will only make them better. Hope they can take this experience into the Qatar match - that will be the real test!

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