India U-23 head to Singapore for 2 friendlies after US exposure tour does not materialise

THE UNDER 23 INDIAN side has been prepraring in New Delhi since June 19 for the upcoming AFC Under 23 Qualifiers. The team was all set to head to the U.S.A for an exposure tour but that plan seems to have hit a dead end. 

The All India Football Federation has arranged for two International matches for the Indian U-23 National Team as part of the preparation process for the forthcoming AFC U-23 Championships slated to be held in Doha. 

Constantine, on the preparation of the team and the forthcoming friendly games said, 

“It’s been two weeks that we have been together and the U-23 boys need competitive games. The tour to Singapore would be a valuable experience for the squad to gauge the intensity of International encounters. I thank AIFF for arranging the matches ahead of our AFC Qualifiers,” 

The national team coach continued,

“The games would be competitive and provide us the much needed exposure,”

It has been under Constantine’s coaching that the Senior Indian National Team has jumped 73 places in the FIFA Rankings to be currently placed 100.
 
AIFF General Secretary Mr. Kushal Das said the primary objective of the AIFF is to provide the “best exposure to all National Teams.” He exclaimed his frustration saying, 

“It is really frustrating that despite applying well in advance and after multiple follow-ups for the US visas we failed to get any response from the concerned authorities. I need to thank the Singapore FA for agreeing to the two International matches which would provide valuable practice for our U-23 boys prior to the AFC U-23 Qualifiers,” 

The U-23 Team will fly to Singapore in the first week of July from where they will directly proceed to take on Turkmenistan, Qatar and Syria in Group C from July 19 onwards.

Get the latest in the world of Sports, Teams, and Players! Free Delivery to your Inbox.