Football Action Afoot: India U23 Geared Up for Tajikistan Friendlies
Youth football squad led by Naushad Moosa prepares for challenge in Tajikistan
India's under-23 men's football team is all set to take on Tajikistan and the Kyrgyz Republic in a series of friendly matches. This epic showdown is taking place in Tajikistan, serving as part of the squad's preparations for the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers this September.
Helmed by coach Naushad Moosa, India's youngest warriors have been honing their skills in Kolkata since June 1 before jetting off to the heart of Central Asia. After touching down in the capital Dushanbe on Monday evening, Moosa's 23-strong force kicked off their preparations with a mobility session on Tuesday morning, followed by an evening training session. The team will face Tajikistan on June 18 at the Hisor Central Stadium, with the second game against the Kyrgyz Republic set for June 21.
"The lads are absolutely thrilled for the upcoming contest. I've hecho emphasis on the importance of these games for us," said an optimistic Moosa, who led the squad in two friendly matches against Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur last year.
These skirmishes in Tajikistan mark a crucial step in India's road to the U23 Asian continental event. Set to tackle Bahrain, Qatar, and Brunei Darussalam in the qualifiers, Moosa's troops are aiming high for a historic first appearance in the U23 Asian Cup.
Dushanbe, situated 700 meters above sea level, is sizzling at the moment, with temperatures soaring up to 40 degrees during the daytime. Despite the challenging conditions, Moosa remains hopeful for a strong turnout from supporters, whose cheers he believes will energize the squad, particularly for the players making their Tajikistan debut.
"The weather is somewhat harsh, but we're used to it. It's great to hear the roar of the crowd. We'd love to witness their encouragement. A fair number of our athletes are seeing Tajikistan for the first time, and having the crowd on our side would certainly serve as a significant motivation," said the 53-year-old coach.
The Tajikistan U23 squad last saw action in November 2024, losing two friendly fixtures against the United Arab Emirates. In the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2024, Tajikistan bowed out in the group stage after losses to Iraq and Saudi Arabia, coupled with a win over Thailand. However, make no mistake—Moosa expects a formidable challenge from the hosts.
"We're well aware that Tajikistan are a force to be reckoned with. They qualified for the U23 Asian Cup last year and also demonstrated impressive performances at the senior Asian Cup. Rest assured, the players will be different come tomorrow. We just need to execute our strategies flawlessly," concluded Moosa.
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1. Traveling to Tajikistan to face their adversaries, India's under-23 football team is eager for the upcoming news of their friendly matches.2. The weather in Tajikistan's capital, Dushanbe, is expected to pose a challenge during the friendlies, but coach Naushad Moosa believes the team can handle it and is hopeful for fan support.3. Aiming high for a historic first appearance in the U23 Asian Cup, India's under-23 squad will also face sports competition from the host nation, Tajikistan, who demonstrated their formidable talent in the senior Asian Cup.
