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Indian U23 football team faces Indonesia in Jakarta on October 10 and 13 at Gelora Bung Karno Madya Stadium after AFC U23 Asian Cup setback.
India U23 men set to face Indonesia U23 in Jakarta on October 10 and 13, 2025 (Picture credit: AIFF)
The Indian U23 men’s football team is all set to play two friendly matches against Indonesia in Jakarta on October 10 and 13, at the Gelora Bung Karno Madya Stadium. The team recently fell short of qualifying for the AFC U23 Asian Cup after they lost to Bahrain in a qualifier game.
Under head coach Naushad Moosa, the Blue Colts have regrouped after missing out on a historic AFC U23 Asian Cup qualification, finishing fifth among the best second-placed teams despite victories over Bahrain and Brunei Darussalam.
India needed Bahrain to defeat Qatar by no more than two goals to top the group on head-to-head goal difference in a three-way tie. Bahrain scored first in the 71st minute, but two stoppage-time goals propelled Qatar to the top, ending India’s hopes. Other results also went against Moosa’s team.
India ended the group stage second, winning two of three matches, but ranked only as the fifth-best runner-up. With only four runners-up joining the 11 group winners, India missed out.
Similarly, Indonesia fell short as well, bowing out after a 0-1 loss to the Korea Republic that left them 10th among 11 runners-up.
Both games against Indonesia, scheduled during the October FIFA International Window, will be played at the Gelora Bung Karno Madya Stadium in Jakarta, with kick-off all set for 18:30 IST.
Earlier this season, India U23s played four friendlies, traveling to Tajikistan in June to take on the hosts and the Kyrgyz Republic, before facing Iraq twice in Malaysia in August.
India’s squad that played AFC Asian Cup qualifiers:
Goalkeeper: Sahil, Mohd Arbaz, Dipesh Chauhan
Defenders: Bikash Yumnam, Pramveer, Muhammed Saheef Areesinte Purakkal, Harsh Arun Palande, Subham Bhattacharya, Ricky Meetei Haobam
Midfielders: Soham Naveen Varshneya, Lalrinliana Hnamte, Mohammed Aimen, Vibin Mohanan, Mohammed Sanan K, Chingangbam Shivaldo Singh, Ayush Dev Chhetri, Macarton Louis Nickson, Lalremtluanga Fanai, Vinith Venkatesh
Forwards: Parthib Sundar Gogoi, Muhammed Suhail, Sreekuttan MS, Sahil Harijan
October 03, 2025, 13:25 IST
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