New Delhi, Nov 14 (NationPress) The November FIFA International Window marks the return of the India U23 men’s national team as they prepare to take on Thailand U23s in a friendly contest at the Thammasat Stadium in Pathum Thani this Saturday.

The Blue Colts have been training in Kolkata since November 7, before heading to Thailand on November 13 for this matchup. Head coach Naushad Moosa has included several fresh talents in his roster of 23 players. With as many as 10 newcomers, Moosa intends for this friendly to serve as a chance to broaden the talent pool at the U23 level.

“We’ve had a few days of camp, which was crucial, especially with 10 new players, many of whom are quite young. It’s vital for us to gauge their mindset and overall approach,” said Moosa.

Moosa expressed satisfaction with the team's performance, stating, “They’ve been executing our plans very well. I’m pleased with how quickly the boys are adapting. It’s important for us to cultivate a pool of 50-60 players in the upcoming years.”

To further the team’s development, Moosa plans to give several players opportunities in this match.

“In friendlies, I strive to provide everyone with equal playing time, allowing them to showcase their abilities. We need to start strong and evaluate our performance from there. I also have three goalkeepers, and I aim to allocate sufficient time for each,” he added.

The Thailand U23s recently secured third place in the ASEAN U23 Championship held in Indonesia and are preparing for the upcoming SEA Games and the AFC U23 Asian Cup next year.

“We’ve analyzed several of their games, and they present a challenging prospect. We must remain quick and alert throughout the match, and our training has been geared towards that,” Moosa noted.

The AIFF is committed to preparing the India U23s for the Asian Games scheduled to take place in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, next year and has been organizing friendly matches for the Blue Colts during each FIFA International window. In the October window, the Blue Colts faced the Indonesia U23s, winning the first match 2-1 and drawing the second 1-1.

“These friendlies are tremendously beneficial. We’re gaining valuable match experience. Indonesia was a formidable team, and we had many new players participating. These camps enhance our understanding of players’ mentalities and their potential contributions,” said Moosa. “The players recognize the significance of this phase for Indian football and the importance of achieving positive outcomes.”

“Initially, they were uncertain about how things would unfold. However, their body language during training now reflects their confidence. The spirit we aim for is to confront any team fearlessly and fight,” he concluded.

The match is set to commence at 15:30 IST.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Dipesh Chauhan, Kamaludheen AK, Mohanraj K.

Defenders: Harsh Palande, Joseph Justin, Raj Basfore, Ronney Kharbudon, Sumit Sharma Brahmacharimayum, Sanatomba Singh Yanglem, Yaipharemba Chingakham.

Midfielders: Ayush Dev Chhetri, Lalrinliana Hnamte, Manglenthang Kipgen, Shami Singamayum, Vinith Venkatesh, Shivaldo Singh Chingangbam, Vibin Mohanan, Mohammed Aimen.

Forwards: Alan Saji, Korou Singh Thingujam, Lalthankima, Rahul Raju, Thoi Singh Huidrom.