India U-19 National Team (Photo courtesy: AIFF Media)
The India U-19 National Team, ahead of the AFC U-19 Championship qualifiers, arrived in the city of Dammam in Saudi Arabia yesterday, November 2 and was met with gusty winds of the port city in the eve.
The Indian U-19s come on the back of an exposure trip of Qatar wherein the Colts faced Qatar U-19s and Al-Gharafa Club, losing 1-0 against the former and winning 3-1 against the latter.
Comprising of a mixture of players from Indian U-17 World Cup Team and India’s U-19 team which played in the SAFF U-18 Championship in Bhutan, the Indian U-19 National Team has been pitted in Group D alongside hosts Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Turkmenistan.
India face hosts Saudi Arabia on November 4, followed by Yemen on November 6 and Turkmenistan on November 8. All matches will be played at the Prince Mohamed bin Fahad Stadium in Dammam.
“We will be looking to give our best in all the matches that we play and we will fight till the very end for a positive result,” said Head Coach of the Indian U-19 National Team, who was also the Head Coach of the Indian U-17 World Cup Team, Luis Norton de Matos. “We respect our opponents and we know that they are not an easy challenge. It will be a tough clash against all three teams that we have been drawn against.”
November 4: India vs Saudi Arabia
November 6: India vs Yemen
November 8: India vs Turkmenistan
(AIFF Media)