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Key Points

India U23 men's team coach Naushad Moosa has selected a 23-player squad for friendlies against Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. The matches, set for June 18 and 21, will help gauge the team's readiness for the AFC U23 Asian Cup qualifiers. Moosa highlighted the importance of facing strong opponents like Tajikistan to assess squad depth. The squad includes players like Suhail Bhat and Ayush Chhetri, who recently featured for the senior national team.

Key Points: Naushad Moosa Picks India U23 Squad for Tajikistan Friendlies

  • India U23 to play Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan in June friendlies
  • Squad includes Suhail Bhat and Ayush Chhetri from senior team
  • Matches serve as prep for AFC U23 Asian Cup qualifiers
  • Moosa emphasizes learning from high-level opponents
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Naushad Moosa names India U23 men's squad for Tajikistan tour

India U23 coach Naushad Moosa names 23-member squad for key friendlies against Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan ahead of AFC U23 Asian Cup qualifiers.

"These matches will help us understand our players' level and what more we need to add. – Naushad Moosa"

New Delhi, June 16

The India U23 men's team head coach Naushad Moosa on Monday announced a 23-member squad for the friendly matches against Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.

India U23 men have been training at the AIFF National Centre of Excellence in Kolkata since June 1 and departed for Tajikistan on Monday afternoon. As part of their preparations for the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers in September, India will face Tajikistan on June 18 before squaring off against Kyrgyzstan on June 21. Both matches will take place at the Hisor Central Stadium in Hisor, about 25 kilometres from Tajikistan's capital, Dushanbe.

"These two matches against Tajikistan and Kyrgyz Republic will help us understand the level of our players, and what more we need to add to it. For now, I'm happy with the way we have prepared. We won a couple of practice matches by big margins, but it wasn't much of a competition," said Moosa.

The camp began with 29 players, of whom 20 made the final list. Moosa's squad was boosted by the addition of forward Suhail Ahmad Bhat, midfielder Ayush Chhetri and defender Tekcham Abhishek Singh, who joined the U23 camp after finishing their duties with the senior national team during the June FIFA Window games against Thailand and Hong Kong.

"After these friendlies, we will get more understanding of our players and what else we need to work on. The opponents are of a pretty good level, I believe. It's important to play against such teams when you're preparing for the U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers, where we will face Qatar and Bahrain," Moosa added.

India U23's 23-member squad for June friendlies in Tajikistan:

Goalkeepers: Mohd Arbaz, Priyansh Dubey, Sahil.

Defenders: Bikash Yumnam, Dippendu Biswas, Muhammed Saheef AP, Nikhil Barla, Pramveer, Subham Bhattacharya, Tekcham Abhishek Singh.

Midfielders: Ayush Chhetri, Chingangbam Shivaldo Singh, Lalremtluanga Fanai, Lalrinliana Hnamte, Macarton Louis Nickson, Mohammed Aimen, Vibin Mohanan, Vinith Venkatesh.

Forwards: Joseph Sunny, Mohammed Sanan K, Parthib Sundar Gogoi, Suhail Ahmad Bhat, Thingujam Korou Singh.

Head Coach: Naushad Moosa

Assistant Coach: Remus Damiao Gomes

Goalkeeper Coach: Dipankar Choudhary

Strength and Conditioning Coach: Diwakar Manohar

India U23's Match Schedule:

June 18: Tajikistan vs India

June 21: India vs Kyrgyz Republic

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rahul K.
Good to see young talent getting exposure against Central Asian teams! Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan have strong youth setups, so these matches will be a real test. Hope our boys make us proud 🇮🇳 #BlueTigers
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Priya M.
Excited to see Suhail Ahmad Bhat in the squad after his senior team experience! But why only 2 matches? AIFF should arrange more friendlies for proper preparation before qualifiers. Our boys need match practice against different playing styles.
A
Amit S.
The squad looks balanced but I'm worried about our defense. Tajikistan U23 recently drew with Iran U23 - they won't be pushovers. Hope Bikash Yumnam and Tekcham can hold the backline strong. Jai Hind!
S
Sunita R.
Why no live telecast announced yet? 🤔 These are important matches before qualifiers. At least AIFF should stream it on their YouTube channel. We want to support our young footballers!
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Vikram J.
Good initiative but the timing is odd - right after senior team's matches. Players like Ayush Chhetri must be exhausted. Should have scheduled this tour earlier to give proper rest between tournaments.
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Neha P.
The Northeast representation in the squad is impressive! Players from Manipur, Mizoram showing their talent. Football is truly uniting India ❤️ Hope they get more opportunities at senior level too.

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