Kashmiri Talent Abdul Salah Set to Shine as India U17 Team Prepares for AFC Qualifiers

THAILAND: The Indian U17 men’s national football team has arrived in Chonburi, ready to face the upcoming challenges of the AFC U17 Asian Cup 2025 Qualifiers, starting October 23. Known as the “City of Water,” Chonburi welcomed the Blue Colts with light showers during their first training session at the Institute of Physical Education Stadium on Monday evening.

The weather is notably more humid than Kolkata, where the team had been training for the past week. Head coach Ishfaq Ahmed and his squad have a packed schedule ahead, with three matches in just five days. India will play Brunei Darussalam on October 23 at 14:30 IST, followed by Turkmenistan on October 25 and host nation Thailand on October 27.

Ahmed emphasized the importance of a focused approach, stating, “It’s going to be one step at a time. We have an overall plan for the qualifiers, but our focus is on the first match against Brunei right now.” The AFC U17 qualifiers involve complex scenarios, as India seeks to secure one of the top positions in their group to advance.

With the tournament structure including groups of varying sizes, Ahmed explained the stakes: “Results against fourth and fifth-placed teams won’t count for ranking the best runners-up. We want to top our group and avoid any complicated scenarios.” The coach is keenly aware of the tight schedule and the humid conditions, noting, “Recovering the players will be a challenge with just a day’s gap between matches. The weather is the same for everyone, so that’s not an issue.”

A standout player to watch is Abdul Salah, a talented Kashmiri midfielder whose skills and determination have caught the attention of fans and coaches alike. His presence adds depth and creativity to the squad as they aim for success on the international stage.

Monday’s training focused on strength and conditioning, build-up play, finishing, and set-pieces. The team will hold their official matchday minus one training session at Banbueng Stadium on Tuesday at 16:00 local time.

As the Blue Colts gear up for their opening match, they remain determined and positive. Ahmed conveyed a motivational message to his players: “If you want to be the best, you have to fight against external challenges and show your character.” With the qualifiers approaching, the team is ready to make their mark in Thailand and pursue their dream of qualifying for the AFC U17 Asian Cup.