India's U17 national football team will look to extend their winning run when they face Guam in their second Group E fixture of the AFC U17 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2027 Qualifiers at the Kuala Lumpur Football Stadium on Saturday, 15 November 2026. The match kicks off at 1 pm IST and will be streamed live on the FAMTV Malaysia YouTube channel.

Blue Colts' Winning Start

The side, popularly known as the Blue Colts, opened their campaign with a hard-fought 4-2 victory over Singapore. Forward Dallalmuon Gangte was the standout performer, registering a hat-trick, while Ristik Maity added a crucial fourth goal in the 89th minute to seal all three points. The win was far from straightforward — India fell behind and had to respond twice after Singapore drew level, before the team held its composure and scored twice in the final seven minutes.

Coach Wadoo Calls for Defensive Discipline

Despite the encouraging result, head coach Mehrajuddin Wadoo was clear-eyed about the areas requiring improvement. 'There are always areas to improve, even after a good result,' Wadoo said. He called for greater consistency in defensive organisation, sharper concentration across the full 90 minutes, and better decision-making in the final third — particularly when India are in a winning position. 'We need to be more clinical with the chances we create and make better decisions in the final third,' the coach added.

Wadoo also singled out Gangte for special praise. 'I am very happy for Gangte. Scoring a hat-trick at the international level is a special achievement, and he deserves credit for his performance. I hope he continues to work hard, stays humble and keeps improving,' he said.

Guam's Struggles in the Qualifiers

India will face Guam for the first time at the U17 level. Guam arrive at this fixture having suffered two heavy defeats — 0-6 against Singapore and 0-5 against Palestine — leaving them at the bottom of Group E. While the results suggest a mismatch on paper, Wadoo urged his side against complacency. 'We respect Guam as an opponent and are preparing for them with the same seriousness as we did for Singapore. At this level, every match presents its own challenges, and we cannot afford to underestimate any opponent,' he said.

What Comes Next for India

Following the Guam fixture, India's Group E campaign continues with a clash against Palestine on 17 November, before they conclude their qualifying run against hosts Malaysia on 20 November. A second consecutive win would put India in a strong position to advance. The Blue Colts will aim to control possession, sustain their attacking intensity, and tighten their defensive structure — areas Wadoo identified as critical to a deeper run in the qualifiers.