After a convincing start to the AFC U-20 Asian Cup 2025 qualifiers, India is set for a crucial test against powerhouse Iran on September 27th at the Lao National Stadium KM16 in Vientiane, Laos. The Blue Colts, riding high on a dominant 4-0 victory over Mongolia in their opening Group G match, displayed their offensive prowess with a brace from Manglenthang Kipgen and goals from Kelvin Singh and Korou Singh Thingujam. Despite the impressive win, head coach Ranjan Chaudhuri emphasized the need for improvement, stating, “We must immediately begin preparations for the next game. We missed a lot of chances against Mongolia, and that is something we cannot afford against Iran.”
While acknowledging Iran’s strength, Chaudhuri remained optimistic, “They are an extremely good side, but we have made our plans according to their game as well. Anything can happen on the day, and with a little luck, our boys can get a good result. The most important thing for us is to play our game well, and come out of the match with our heads held high, with a smile.”
On the other side, Iran, who steamrolled Laos 8-0 in their opening fixture, enters the match as the group leader. However, they remain wary of complacency against India. Iran’s head coach, Hossein Abdi, recognizes the Indian team’s talent, saying, “India have quality players, many of whom I’ve seen at the U-17 level in Thailand last year. They play a fast game, have shown a good understanding of football. I think the game has progressed very fast in India recently, and we will see further advances in the future.” Abdi emphasized sportsmanship, saying, “We will give it our best against them, but the most important thing at this level is that the players are safe. It’s all about building good human relations and doing well for the country.”
The match is scheduled for a 2:30 pm IST kick-off, promising a thrilling encounter between two ambitious young teams. This match is a pivotal clash for both nations, showcasing their progress in youth football and their aspirations on the continental stage. The stage is set for a captivating battle as India looks to prove itself against a formidable opponent, and Iran aims to maintain their strong start in the qualifiers.
