India U17 men thrash UAE 4-1 in second friendly, eye AFC Qualifiers
Synopsis
India's U17 men put four past UAE in Ras Al Khaimah, turning a Sunday stalemate into a 4-1 statement win. With the Myanmar and UAE tours yielding 8 goals and growing squad rhythm, Mehrajuddin Wadoo's Blue Colts head to Kuala Lumpur chasing something bigger — a spot at back-to-back AFC U17 Asian Cups.
Key Takeaways
India U17 men beat UAE 4-1 at the Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi Stadium, Ras Al Khaimah on 4 November 2025 .
Scorers: Kamgouhao Doungel , Md Sahir Ali (first half); Hrishikesh Manavathi , Ristik Maity (second half).
India had drawn 0-0 with UAE in the first friendly on Sunday.
Head coach Mehrajuddin Wadoo registered his first win as coach during the earlier 4-0 win over Myanmar on 7 October .
India open their AFC U17 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2027 Qualifiers against Singapore on 11 November in Kuala Lumpur , also facing Guam, Palestine, and Malaysia in Group E .
The India U17 men's football team delivered a commanding 4-1 victory over the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the second and final friendly match at the Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi Stadium in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, on Wednesday, 4 November 2025. The result — a sharp turnaround from the goalless draw in their first meeting on Sunday — signals growing sharpness in Mehrajuddin Wadoo's squad ahead of the AFC U17 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2027 Qualifiers.
How the Goals Came
Kamgouhao Doungel and Md Sahir Ali both found the net in the first half, putting the Blue Colts in control at 2-0 by the break. After the restart, Hrishikesh Manavathi and Ristik Maity added two more to put the tie to bed. The hosts managed only a consolation goal in the second half, ensuring the final scoreline read a comprehensive 4-1 in India's favour.
Context: A Productive Tour
The two UAE friendlies capped a busy preparation window. A couple of weeks prior, India wrapped up a friendly tour of Myanmar with a 4-0 win on 7 October at the StarCity Sports Club in Thanlyin — Wadoo's first victory as head coach. Captain Dallalmoun Gangte opened the scoring, an own goal by Kyi Thar doubled the advantage, and Doungel and Manavathi each got on the scoresheet to complete the rout. That tour had also begun with a 1-1 draw in the first fixture.
Notably, the same squad that faced UAE will represent India in the upcoming qualifier group stage — an unusual continuity that could prove an asset as match rhythm builds.
What Awaits in Kuala Lumpur
Following the two UAE friendlies, the team is set to travel to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for the qualifier campaign. India have been drawn in Group E alongside hosts Malaysia, Palestine, Singapore, and Guam. Their schedule reads: Singapore on 11 November, Guam on 14 November, Palestine on 17 November, and Malaysia on 20 November.
The Bigger Prize: Back-to-Back Asian Cups
India's Blue Colts are chasing qualification to back-to-back AFC U17 Asian Cups — an achievement that would mark a significant milestone for Indian youth football. The momentum from recent friendly form, particularly the 8 goals scored across the Myanmar and UAE tours without facing a single defeat after the openers, gives Wadoo's men genuine grounds for confidence going into the qualifiers.
Point of View
But the qualifying group — featuring hosts Malaysia and an improving Palestine side — will be a sterner test of whether this preparation has genuine depth. India's youth football record in AFC competition has historically been patchy, and Wadoo's real benchmark is not friendly scorelines but converting Group E results into Asian Cup qualification. The good news: fielding the same squad across both tours provides match continuity that often eludes Indian youth setups, which tend to rotate heavily in pre-tournament windows.
NationPress
5 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the result of India U17 vs UAE second friendly?
India U17 men beat UAE 4-1 in the second friendly at the Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi Stadium in Ras Al Khaimah on 4 November 2025. Kamgouhao Doungel, Md Sahir Ali, Hrishikesh Manavathi, and Ristik Maity scored for India.
Who is the head coach of the India U17 men's football team?
Mehrajuddin Wadoo is the head coach of the India U17 men's team. He registered his first win in charge during the 4-0 victory over Myanmar on 7 October 2025.
When and where do India play in the AFC U17 Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers?
India play their qualifiers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, starting 11 November against Singapore. They then face Guam on 14 November, Palestine on 17 November, and hosts Malaysia on 20 November, all in Group E.
What is India U17 aiming for in the AFC U17 Asian Cup Qualifiers?
India are aiming to qualify for back-to-back AFC U17 Asian Cups, which would be a landmark achievement for Indian youth football. They must progress from Group E, which also includes Malaysia, Palestine, Singapore, and Guam.
How did India U17 perform in their recent friendly tours?
India scored 8 goals across their Myanmar and UAE friendly tours with no defeats after the opening draws — a 1-1 draw vs Myanmar, a 4-0 win vs Myanmar, a 0-0 draw vs UAE, and a 4-1 win vs UAE. The run has given Wadoo's squad strong momentum ahead of the qualifiers.
