Latest news with #AFCU-23AsianCup
Time of India
a day ago
- General
- Time of India
Youngsters should not jump into ISL, game time more important: Naushad Moosa
Naushad Moosa is coaching the India under-23 team Panaji: Naushad Moosa has returned as head coach of the India under-23 squad. This time, he has been handed a longer rope, stretching a year, and tasked with preparing the team for next year's Asian Games and the AFC U-23 Asian Cup, qualifiers for which will be held in September. Last year, Moosa, assistant to Juan Pedro at NorthEast United, was in charge of the under-23 team for two friendlies against Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur. 'The longer contract helps me understand the players better,' Moosa told TOI in a recent interview. 'I spoke with the AIFF and told them it's important to have longer camps as well, so that we can properly assess the players and opponents. I want to bring the best out of these players. Getting them to gel together, though, will be a challenge.' Moosa, a former international who played for India between 1994 and 1998 and won the SAFF Championship in 1997, has named a 29-member probable squad for the two friendlies in Dushanbe against Tajikistan and Kyrgyz Republic, later this month. A concern for Moosa is that a majority of players are with ISL clubs. Many of them are without enough playing time in the top tier of Indian football. 'The younger under-19 players, all of them want to play for ISL clubs. My advice is don't jump (straightway) into the ISL. Of course, you should try, but only a few make it to the top. The youngsters can sign for clubs where they get to play. At this age, it's important for them to be playing competitive matches. Sitting on the bench for financially-rich clubs doesn't really help in their growth as players,' said Moosa. 'The younger players in the ISL are not getting enough opportunities. There are a lot of promising players in the I-League who we will track,' added Moosa. From amongst the 29 probables, only a handful have featured regularly for their teams in the ISL. Just one among them, Vibin Mohanan, has a senior team appearance, though Ayush Chhetri, Abhishek Singh and Suhail Bhat, all aged below 23, are currently under Manolo Marquez with the national team. Mohammed Sanan, Nikhil Barla (both Jamshedpur), Korou Singh, Bikash Yumnam (both Kerala Blasters), Macarton Louis Nickson, Parthib Gogoi (both NorthEast United) and Dipendu Biswas (Mohun Bagan) are the more recognisable names among the under-23 probables. Only two players -- Rahul Raju (Gokulam Kerala) and Mohammad Arbaz (Real Kashmir) – are doing duty in the I-League, the second tier tournament. 'We need to have more camps, more exposure matches. If we cannot travel abroad, we can play here, but with stronger opponents. Losing is not a problem. It's important we play stronger opponents to prepare for the challenges. Our aim should not be to win SAFF. We must look at the bigger stage where we will be properly judged,' said Moosa. India U-23 will face Tajikistan and Kyrgyz Republic in two friendlies on June 18 and June 21 as part of the AIFF's long-term plans to smoothen a pathway to the senior national team. The team is in Kolkata where they will train before setting off for Dushanbe on June 16.
The Hindu
7 days ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
AFC U-23 Asian Cup qualifiers: India placed in Group H alongside Qatar, Bahrain and Brunei Darussalam
The India Under-23 men's national football team has been clubbed alongside Qatar, Bahrain, and Brunei Darussalam in Group H of the AFC U-23 Asian Cup qualifiers, in the draw ceremony held at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday (May 27, 2025). Qatar, which is the highest seeded team among the four in the group, will be hosting the Group H league with the matches scheduled to be played between September 1 to 9, 2025. A total of 44 teams have been divided into 11 groups of four each. The group winners and the four best runners-up, alongside the host of the final stage Saudi Arabia, will compete for the title in the seventh edition of the AFC U23 Asian Cup, which will be held in January 2026. The Indian team will start its preparations under the charge of former India international Naushad Moosa, who has previously been named the head coach. The Blue Colts will assemble in Kolkata for a training camp on June 1 before flying off to Tajikistan to play two friendly matches against Tajikistan (on June 18) and Kyrgyz Republic (June 21). Similarly, the Indian team will utilise all the upcoming FIFA International windows to set up camps and play exposure friendlies to prepare for the qualifiers.
Time of India
05-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
AIFF wants Jamil to take charge of India U-23 team, coach undecided
Khalid Jamil has received rich praise after taking Jamshedpur to ISL playoffs Panaji: The All India Football Federation ( AIFF ) has approached Jamshedpur FC coach Khalid Jamil with an offer to prepare the under-23 team for next year's Asian Games and the AFC U-23 Asian Cup, qualifiers for which will be held in Sept. The AIFF wants to start early with the preparations and has identified Jamil, contracted with Jamshedpur, as the best man for the job. Should be take up the job, he will be allowed to coach club and country. 'The AIFF has spoken to us as well as Khalid, but nothing has been decided,' Jamshedpur CEO Mukul Choudhari told TOI on Monday. 'The decision has been left to Khalid. He has to decide. His stint with us has been outstanding.' According to sources, Jamil is yet to make up his mind. AIFF officials will need to convince India's best coach of the under-23 national team assignment's importance. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Cost Of Amusement Park Equipment From Mexico Might Surprise You Amusement Park Equipment | search ads Click Here Undo Jamil has received rich praise from all quarters after taking Jamshedpur to the playoffs in the Indian Super League (ISL), with limited budget. Players too have improved under his tutelage. If proof was needed that the team's performance in the ISL – where they lost narrowly against eventual champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant in the semis – was no flash in the pan, Jamshedpur made it to the final of the Super Cup for the first time. 'In terms of results, he is the best Indian coach, without any doubt,' said national team and FC Goa coach Manolo Marquez after his side defeated Jamshedpur in the Super Cup final. 'People can like or not like his style of football, but the results are there. I don't even need to speak. He (Jamil) was champion with Aizawl in I-League. He played the ISL playoff with Northeast United. He played the playoff this season with Jamshedpur. He has worked with teams that don't have too much budget.' The men's football event at the Asian Games is an under-23 affair with each team allowed a field a maximum of three players above the age category. The draw for the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026 qualifiers will be held on May 29 in Kuala Lumpur. The competition will follow a single round-robin format at centralised venues from Sept 1 to Sept 9. Eleven group winners and four best second-placed teams will advance to the final tournament in Saudi Arabia in 2026.
