India’s U16 Boys team is all set to play the 2023 SAFF U16 Championship next month under the tutorship of coach Ishfaq Ahmed. This will be the eighth edition of the tournament and is being hosted by Bhutan. The games will start from 1st September 2023 and conclude with the final on September 10, 2023. India are the defending champions after beating Nepal in 2022 final. They have also won the competition a record four times.
Except for Sri Lanka, suspended by FIFA, all the other six nations are eligible to participate. The teams are divided into two groups with India, Nepal and Bangladesh forming Group A. Hosts Bhutan, Maldives and Pakistan are in Group B. The group winners and runners-up will advance to the semi-finals. All the games will be played at the Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu.
Indian squad for SAFF U16 Championship 2023
Goalkeepers: Rohit, Aheibam Suraj Singh, Arush Hari.
Defenders: Ngariyambam Abhijit, Mohammed Kaif, Yaipharemba Chingakham, Usham Thoungamba, Vumlenlal Hangshing, Chingtham Renin Singh, Karish Soram.
Midfielders: Newton Singh, Kangujam Yoihenba Meitei, Levis Zangminlun, Bobby Singh, Abdul Salha, Ngamgouhou Mate, Vishal Yadav, Manbhakupar Malngiang, Md Arbash.
Forwards: Ningthoukhongjam Rishi Singh, Ahongshangbam Samson, Lairenjam Bharat, Airborlang Kharthangmaw.
Coach: Ishfaq Ahmed
Group A
India
Nepal
Bangladesh
SAFF U16 Fixtures
Group Stage
Saturday, 2 September 2023
Bangladesh vs India (15:00)
Monday, 4 September 2023
Bangladesh vs Nepal (19:00)
Wednesday, 6 September 2023
Nepal vs India (15:00)
Knockouts
Friday, 8 September 2023
Semi-final 1: Group A winners vs Group B runners-up (15:00)
Semi-final 2: Group B winners vs Group A runners-up (19:00)
Sunday, 10 September 2023
Semi-final 1 winners vs Semi-final 2 winners (18:00)
India U-16s have been training in Srinagar over the last month. The Blue Colts begin the tournament against Bangladesh on 1st September with the second group game against Nepal four days later. India are favourites to move into the next stage by winning the group but they will face considerable challenge to do so. The India U-16 National Team will travel to Thimphu, Bhutan on August 30 for the SAFF U-16 Championship.