Indian U-17 Team Plans UAE Warm-Up Before Malaysia Qualifiers

Preparations are well underway for India's Under-17 men's football team as it readies for the AFC U-17 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2027 qualifiers. Ahead of the regional tournament, the team will face the United Arab Emirates in two international friendlies on November 1 and November 4.

Both encounters will take place in Ras Al Khaimah and begin at 8:30 PM Indian time. The first match is set for the Emirates Football Club Stadium on November 1, while the second will be held at the Sheikh Saqr Al Qasimi Stadium on November 4.

Head coach Mehrajuddin Wadoo has overseen a training camp in Margao, Goa. The squad will leave for the UAE on October 30.

Earlier, India played two friendlies against Myanmar in Thanlyin. The opening game ended 1-1, but India bounced back on October 7 with a 4-0 win in the second match.

The winning display was built on goals from captain Dalalmawia Gangte, who struck in the 40th minute, and an own goal by Kai Thar in the 53rd minute. Kamgauhao Doungel made it 3-0 in the 60th minute before Rishikesh Charan Manavati netted in the 72nd minute. The win also gave Wadoo his first success as India's U-17 men's head coach.

After facing the UAE, the team will travel directly to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on November 5, ahead of qualifiers scheduled between November 11 and 20.

India will open its qualifying campaign against Singapore on November 11. It will then meet Guam on November 14, Palestine on November 17, and Malaysia on November 20.

The friendlies against the UAE will allow India to refine its game before the qualifiers, where the main aim is to secure a berth in the continental tournament.