India Unveils Squad for AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup 2025
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Synopsis
India has officially announced its 12-member squad for the upcoming AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup 2025 in Thailand, scheduled to begin on March 20. The team, under coach Mohd Faizal Bin Sood, is preparing to face tough competition in Group A.
Key Takeaways
- India's beach soccer team announced for AFC Cup.
- Coached by Mohd Faizal Bin Sood from Malaysia.
- Group A matches start on March 20 against Thailand.
- Team training involved 75 players, narrowed to 12.
- Emphasis on speed and technique in gameplay.
New Delhi, March 13 (NationPress) India has revealed a 12-member team on Thursday for the AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup set to take place in Thailand in 2025.
Under the guidance of coach Mohd Faizal Bin Sood from Malaysia, the team is placed in Group A and will kick off their tournament against the host nation Thailand on March 20. Following this, they will compete against Kuwait on March 22 and Lebanon on March 24 in Pattaya.
The squad, together with the coaching and support staff, is scheduled to depart for Pattaya from Rajkot on the evening of March 16 and is expected to arrive early on March 17.
A national team camp was conducted in Porbandar, Gujarat, over two phases, beginning with 75 players from 12 states in October last year. The number was subsequently reduced to 25 players in February.
Head coach Faizal, who previously managed the Malaysia national beach soccer team in 2019, approaches the 2025 AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup with optimism.
“We have a chance to qualify for the quarter-finals. Other teams have been involved in beach soccer for a longer duration, and with Thailand as the hosts, it will be more challenging, but anything can happen in beach soccer,” stated Faizal.
The 50-year-old emphasized the significance of the speed at which Indian players operate. “The advantage of our players is their speed, which simplifies strategy development and enhances technical aspects,” he commented. “Speed and technique will be the cornerstones of our approach.”
The Indian beach soccer team includes: Pratik Kankonkar (GK), Raj Chauhan (GK), Nehal Parab, Sreejith Babu, Jaypal Singh, Latish Kunkolkar, Rohith Y, Mukhtar Umarul, Musheer TKB, Satish Naik, Mohd Akram, Amit Godara.
Head coach: Mohd Faizal Bin Md Sood
Assistant coach: Akshay
Goalkeeping coach: Suraj Jaiswal
