3 days ago
India Seek First Win Over Syria in U20 Qualifiers
India’s under-20 football team is starting its qualifying campaign for the 2027 Asian Cup.
Their first match is against Syria in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
India has played Syria twice before at this level and lost both times.
This time, India wants to win for the first time.
The team also hopes to reach the Asian Cup for the first time since 2006.
Uzbekistan and Bangladesh are in the same group.
India trained for a long time and played four practice matches before the tournament.
The coach says the players must stay organised, focused, and take their scoring chances.
India open their AFC U20 Asian Cup China 2027 qualifying campaign against Syria at Do'stlik Stadium in Tashkent on Monday.
The Blue Colts have lost both previous competitive meetings with Syria, in 1996 and 2004.
India are pursuing qualification for the Asian Cup for the first time since 2006 after narrowly missing out in 2025.
Group B also includes hosts Uzbekistan and Bangladesh, with group winners and the seven best runners-up advancing.
India prepared with an extended camp and four friendlies, winning three, drawing one, and training in Tashkent before the opener.
- Who
- India’s U20 men’s national football team, coached by Mahesh Gawali, will face Syria, coached by Arno Buitenweg.
- What
- India will play its opening AFC U20 Asian Cup China 2027 Qualifiers match and seek its first competitive win over Syria.
- Where
- Do'stlik Stadium in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
- When
- Monday, with kickoff scheduled for 4:30 p.m. IST.
- Why
- India is seeking qualification for the AFC U20 Asian Cup for the first time since 2006.
Key facts
- Competition
- AFC U20 Asian Cup China 2027 Qualifiers
- Group
- Group B, alongside Syria, Uzbekistan, and Bangladesh
- Qualification route
- The group winners and seven best runners-up across eight groups qualify
- Previous meetings
- India lost 0-1 to Syria in 1996 and 1-2 in 2004
- India’s recent record
- India missed the 2025 tournament as one of the best runners-up on goal difference
- Preparation matches
- India beat Singapore 3-0 and 1-0, drew 0-0 with Yemen, and beat Yemen 1-0
- Preparation discrepancy
- One report says India arrived in Tashkent on August 27 and had completed two training sessions; another says the team arrived on Thursday and had held three sessions
Quotes
Mahesh Gawali
Head coach of India’s Under-20 football team
“The first match is always important, especially in a qualifying competition. We have prepared well, and the players are focused. Our approach is to take it one game at a time, stay disciplined and give our best on the pitch. We know what we want to do, and now it is about executing our plans well, ”
thehansindia.com
thehansindia.com
rediff.com
“We need to be organised, especially without the ball, and make the most of our opportunities when they come. It will be a competitive match, and we have to stay focused for the full 90 minutes.”
thehansindia.com
rediff.com
Sources
Related news
India Names 23-Player Squad for AFC U20 Asian Cup Qualifiers
India U-20 Builds Confidence Before Asian Cup Qualifiers
India U20 to Face Yemen in Bengaluru Friendlies
India U20 Men Beat Singapore 3-0 in Friendly
India U20 Beat Yemen Ahead of Asian Cup Qualifiers
India U17 Women Set Goa Friendlies Before Asian Cup Qualifiers
India’s Record Wheat Harvest Opens $1.5 Billion Export Window
West Bengal CM Crushes Nearly 2 Lakh Seized Syrup Bottles
India, Bangladesh Seek Deeper Parliamentary and People-to-People Ties
Bangladesh Radicalisation Raises Concerns About Security Spillover Into India
Bengaluru Police Transfer 31 Bangladeshi Nationals for Deportation
