India U-16 team to compete in four-nation meet in Serbia
Team Udayavani, May 2, 2018, 12:40 PM IST
New Delhi: The India U-16 football team will compete in a four-nation tournament in Serbia from May 9-13, as part of preparations for the forthcoming AFC U-16 Finals in Malaysia.
India will face Jordan, Tajikistan and hosts Serbia in the four-nation tournament during the exposure trip.
This comes less than a month after the Indian U-16 national team played the USA and Norway. The Indian boys had earlier played in Qatar, Hong Kong and Spain.
The exposure tours are being planned to help the team prepare in the best possible fashion for the AFC U-16 Finals Malaysia 2018.
This is India’s third qualification to the AFC U-16 Finals in the last four editions.
India have been clubbed with current runners-up Iran, Vietnam and Indonesia in Group C in the Championship.
With both Jordan and Tajikistan having also qualified for the AFC U-16 Finals, head coach Bibiano Fernandes feels it’s a “marvellous opportunity before the real test”.
“This 4-nation tournament is an extremely helpful project for us before the real test in September. It will help us gauge ourselves where we stand against the likes of Jordan, Tajikistan and of course Serbia. It will help us assert the areas which we need to plug in,” he said.
Referring to his team’s matches against a strong USA and Norway, Bibiano stated the “boys have shown their mettle against them”.
“The USA and Norway are much-respected footballing nations across the world. But the boys played their hearts out. They look in good shape and are hungry to achieve more,” he added.
India suffered a 0-1 defeat to the USA before going down 1-3 to Norway in the Sportchain Friendlies.
Following is India’s fixtures in the U-16 four-nation tournament in Serbia:
May 9, 2018: India vs Jordan
May 11, 2018: Serbia vs India
May 13, 2018: Tajikistan vs India.
Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.
Top News
Related Articles More
IOA submits ‘Letter of Intent’ to host 2036 Olympics in India
Mohammed Shami’s return to competitive cricket delayed; not to play for Bengal against Karnataka, MP
IPL auction set to be held in Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh at end of November
So proud of you: Ravindra reveals rare message from dad after NZ’s historic series win
Gautam Gambhir’s performance under scanner after disaster in Sri Lanka and India
MUST WATCH
Latest Additions
Davanagere: Man murdered by relative for insurance money; 4 arrested within 24 hours
Heroin worth Rs 3.5 crore recovered in police raid in Delhi, 2 arrested
Govt clerk found dead in Tahsildar’s chamber, FIR filed against minister’s PA, 2 others
Treated Muslims like fuel for ‘lantern’: Prashant Kishor targets Lalu, asks upper castes to stay away from Nitish
MP Brijesh Chowta urges Kerala CM for strict action against attack on Edneer Swamiji’s vehicle
Thanks for visiting Udayavani
You seem to have an Ad Blocker on.
To continue reading, please turn it off or whitelist Udayavani.