Indian U-15 team departed to participate in the SAFF U-15 Championships
A 23-member Indian U-16
boys team departed to participate in the SAFF U-15 Championships in Nepal today
(August 16). The squad will train for two days before playing its first match
in the tournament on August 19. The opening encounter on August 19 is against
Maldives while their next opponent is the hosts Nepal on August 23. The top two
teams from the two groups qualify for the Semifinals.
Head Coach Bibiano
Fernandes, informed that the entire squad is “looking forward to the
tournament.”
“The team is all
prepared to face the challenges in the SAFF Championships. This will be a
perfect practice for the AFC U-16 Championship Qualifiers,” he said.
“The tournament will help us strategise and
know our strengths and weaknesses. We’ve played well in our practice games but
competitive matches are always a different scenario,” he added. “But I’ve full
faith that my boys will deliver.”
Bibiano, also said stated that he “will miss
Dhanu”.
“He was the captain of the side and very
important part of the team, but he is now contributing to a greater cause (FIFAU-17 World Cup India 2017),” he added.
“As I’ve said it’s a good test for the players,
plus we face Nepal who are also there in our AFC Qualifiers group. We will pay
special attention to them. Even Bangladesh in Group A is a strong side.”
The 23-member Indian
U-16 squad is as follows:
Goalkeepers: Lalbiakhlua Jongte, Niraj Kumar, Manik
Baliyan
Defenders: Sandip Mandi, Shabas Ahammed,
Gurkirat Singh, Harpreet Singh, Samir Kerketta, Moirangthem Thoiba Singh,
Midfeilders: Lalchhanhima Sailo, Eric Remruatpuia Chhangte, Givson Singh Moirangthem, Aenam Graffenberg Jyrwa, Ricky John Shabong,
Strickers: Bekey Oram, Vikram Partap Singh,
Harpreet, Ridge Melvin Demello, Shanon, Aleixinho Viegas, Adarsh Rai Das,
Subungsa Basumatary