INDIAN FOOTBALL

India National team boss Igor Stimac aims of building a U-23 team

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The head coach of the National team of India Igor Stimac believes that there are more talented players in the U-23 category.

Many players like Akash Mishra, Suresh Singh, and Apuia have recently made their debut for the National team. While Stimac personally picked Amarjit Singh to play for the Nationals. Moreover, more players such as Ashish Rai and Rahul KP would have played for the team but the Covid 19 pandemic and Injuries held them from getting a place in the squad.

The AFC U-23 Asian Cup qualifiers for the next year will kick off between 23 October to 31 October 2021. Out of the qualifiers, 11 group winners along with the four best second-placed teams will secure their place in the competition.

The U-23 India team is grouped in Group E with host UAE, Oman, and the Kyrgyz Republic. The tournament is most likely to be played across seven days. And three matches to be scheduled in a single day. Lack of practice and no time to prepare for the next matches, the National team have some more issues to be solved.

According to the Times of India, the All India Football Federation have already requested several countries to conduct friendlies. For which the camps will be starting from August 18.

Challenges India U-23 team are facing due to Covid Pandemic

Due to the Pandemic restrictions, the National team is facing a problem playing friendlies. Besides it, ISL clubs have contracted many players from the U-23 team. The clubs will soon start their preseason for the upcoming campaign. AIFF will have to request the clubs to release the players so they can train with the National team.

Pandemic limitations have had a great impact on the team as the players will have to be quarantined if they conduct friendlies with other counties. That will drain the important time to practice with the team.

“We don’t know yet (about the team composition). Honestly, we had meetings with FSDL, trying to find solutions. The ISL season starts November 19 and with quarantine measures, it’s difficult to find a proper way to execute everything.– stated National head coach Igor Stimac

With the revised ISL guidelines clubs will field more domestic players in the match, making Indian players more valuable for the clubs. It will be tough for the clubs to release players for having long camps for the National teams.

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