India U17 to Face UAE in Two Friendlies Ahead of AFC U17 Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers

The India U17 men's national team will play two international friendly matches against the United Arab Emirates on November 1 and 4 in Ras Al Khaimah as head coach Mehrajuddin Wadoo steps up preparations for the AFC U17 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2027 Qualifiers. 

The two matches will provide the Blue Colts with an opportunity to test themselves against international opposition before travelling to Malaysia for their qualifying campaign.

Both encounters are scheduled to kick off at 8:30 PM IST. The first match will take place at the Emirates Football Club Stadium on November 1, while the second will be played at the Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi Stadium on November 4. India will be looking to build on their recent performances against Myanmar, where the team displayed encouraging attacking improvements across two matches in Thanlyin earlier this month.

The Blue Colts played two friendly matches against Myanmar as part of their preparations for the continental qualifiers. The opening encounter ended in a 1-1 draw before India produced a convincing response in the second match, securing a 4-0 victory.

The contrasting results provided the coaching staff with an opportunity to assess different aspects of the team's performance, particularly their ability to convert attacking opportunities and maintain control over a match.

Following the Myanmar tour, the Indian squad continued its preparatory camp in Margao, Goa, where the focus remained on improving tactical coordination and preparing the players for the demands of international competition.

The team travelled to the UAE on October 30 and will use the two fixtures against the hosts as its final competitive preparation before the qualifying tournament.

For Wadoo, these matches will be particularly important in assessing combinations across different departments and ensuring that the players are ready for the challenges ahead.

Two matches against the UAE before the crucial qualification campaign

The UAE friendlies come at an important stage of India's preparation, with the team facing a demanding schedule immediately afterwards. The first encounter on November 1 will allow India to assess their readiness against a different style of opposition. The second match, scheduled for November 4, will provide another opportunity to make tactical adjustments and address any shortcomings identified in the opening fixture.

Following the second friendly, India will travel directly to Kuala Lumpur on November 5, where the AFC U17 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2027 Qualifiers will be held from November 11 to 20. The short turnaround between the UAE fixtures and the opening qualifier means that managing player fitness and ensuring recovery will be important considerations for the coaching staff.

India have been placed in Group E alongside hosts Malaysia, Palestine, Singapore and Guam. The Blue Colts will begin their campaign against Singapore on November 11 before facing Guam on November 14. Their third match will be against Palestine on November 17, followed by a potentially important final group encounter against Malaysia on November 20.

All four matches will be played at the MP Selayang Stadium in Selayang, Malaysia. The qualification format leaves little room for mistakes, as only the group winners will progress to the final tournament in Uzbekistan, scheduled from May 12 to 29, 2027.

India will therefore need to maintain consistency throughout the campaign rather than relying on a strong performance in one or two matches. The opening fixture against Singapore will be particularly important in setting the tone for the campaign, while the final encounter against hosts Malaysia could have significant implications for the qualification race.

Wadoo's 23-member squad aims for consecutive Asian Cup appearances

Wadoo has named a 23-member squad for the qualifying campaign, comprising three goalkeepers, seven defenders, six midfielders and seven forwards.

Goalkeepers: Arnav Pandhare, Maroof Shafi, Newtan Irengbam.

Defenders: Jinesh Thoudam, Lawmsangzuala, Leo Thongbam, Malem Laishram, Malsawmtluanga, Sailex Oinam, Maldino Singh Yumnam, Zoramdinthara.

Midfielders: Dallalmuon Gangte, Henthoiba Keisam, David Mangang Irom, Mukundo Singh Ningthoujam, R Lawmsangzuala, Thiyam Sambay.

Forwards: Hrishikesh Charan Manavathi, Kamgouhao Doungel, Md Sahir Ali, Raj Singh Wahengbam, Ristik Maity, Felix Meitei Saikhom.

The same 23 players will feature in the two friendly matches against the UAE before beginning their qualification campaign. India's objective will be to secure back-to-back appearances at the AFC U17 Asian Cup, giving this group of young players another opportunity to compete against the continent's leading youth teams.

The two matches in Ras Al Khaimah will be the final test before the points begin to matter in Malaysia. With four group fixtures and only one qualification spot available, the Blue Colts will need to translate their preparations into consistent performances.

For Wadoo and his squad, the immediate focus is on using the UAE tour effectively before turning their attention to the November 11 opener against Singapore.