India’s U-20 football team, known as the Blue Colts, is set to embark on a journey to qualify for the AFC U-20 Asian Cup, with their captain Thomas K. Cherian leading the charge. Head coach Ranjan Chaudhuri expressed confidence in his team’s preparation and their positive mindset heading into the crucial qualifiers.
“We have a great responsibility from our nation, and we’ve prepared well for it. The mindset of the boys is extremely good, and we just have to do our job with a positive mindset,” Cherian stated. The Blue Colts will commence their campaign in Group G at the Lao National Stadium KM16 on Wednesday, September 25, facing Mongolia at 2.30 pm IST.
The top teams from each group, along with the five best second-placed teams from the 10 groups, will secure their spot in the tournament proper. Coach Chaudhuri emphasized the team’s ambition and the significance of qualifying for the Asian Cup: “We’ve been preparing well for the last three months, and the boys are ready for the challenge. Of course, our aim is to qualify for the AFC U-20 Asian Cup for the first time, which will set a great precedent for our boys. Not only will it be a good experience for them all, but it will also put India on the Asian stage at this age group level.”
He also highlighted the importance of the opening match: “The first match of any tournament is crucial, and we must ensure that we get three points from it. That would set the tone for us. Mongolia are a very good side, and we have to be at our best, but we will try to maintain our focus and remain positive.”
Meanwhile, Mongolia, who arrived in Laos a few days before India, is focusing on acclimatizing to the conditions and adapting to playing on natural turf. “We thought the weather conditions would be the biggest factor for us, but we have been pleasantly surprised by it. The only thing we have to adjust to is the natural turf on which we will play, as all the turfs back home are artificial. We’ve got India in our first match, and they are a very strong team, but we will try our best. We have done our research on all the teams, and we will play accordingly,” said Mongolia’s head coach Anar Batchuluun.
The upcoming qualifiers promise to be exciting and competitive, as both India and Mongolia aim to make their mark on the Asian football stage. The Indian contingent’s determination to achieve historic qualification, coupled with Mongolia’s strategic approach, sets the stage for a compelling clash on the field.
