Fixtures

AFC Asian Cup U23 Qualifying 09/03 12:00 1 Bahrain U23 vs India U23 - View
AFC Asian Cup U23 Qualifying 09/06 12:00 2 India U23 vs Qatar U23 - View
AFC Asian Cup U23 Qualifying 09/09 12:00 3 India U23 vs Brunei U23 - View

Results

U23 International 06/21 15:00 - India U23 v Kyrgyzstan U23 D 0-0
U23 International 06/18 15:00 - Tajikistan U23 v India U23 L 3-2
U23 International 03/25 14:00 - Malaysia U23 v India U23 D 1-1
U23 International 03/22 14:00 - Malaysia U23 v India U23 L 2-1
Asian Games 09/28 11:30 4 [2] India U23 v Saudi Arabia U23 [2] L 0-2
Asian Games 09/24 11:30 3 Myanmar U23 v India U23 D 1-1
Asian Games 09/21 08:00 2 India U23 v Bangladesh U23 W 1-0
Asian Games 09/19 11:30 1 China U23 v India U23 L 5-1
AFC U23 Asian Cup 09/12 08:30 3 UAE U23 v India U23 L 3-0
AFC U23 Asian Cup 09/09 11:35 2 China U23 v India U23 L 2-1
AFC U23 Asian Cup 09/06 08:30 1 India U23 v Maldives U23 - CANC
AFC Asian Cup U23 Qualifying 10/30 16:30 1 India U23 v Kyrgyzstan U23 D 0-0

Stats

 TotalHomeAway
Matches played 2 1 1
Wins 0 0 0
Draws 1 1 0
Losses 1 0 1
Goals for 2 0 2
Goals against 3 0 3
Clean sheets 1 1 0
Failed to score 1 1 0

The India national under-23 football team represents India in international under-23 football and is controlled by the All India Football Federation (AIFF). A member of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), the team is eligible to compete in the Summer Olympic Games, the AFC U-23 Asian Cup, and the Asian Games, subject to qualification.

Since only allowing under-23 sides to compete in the Olympic Games in 1992, India have never qualified for the summer games. The under-23 side have also never participated in the AFC U-23 Asian Cup while at best only making it to the round of 16 in the Asian Games.

History

Asian Games

2002 Busan Games

The under-23 side participated in their first ever tournament during the 2002 Asian Games in Busan, South Korea. They were put into a group with China, Turkmenistan, and Bangladesh. Their first match was against Bangladesh. India won 3–0 through a brace from future senior captain Baichung Bhutia and a strike from Renedy Singh. India played their second match two days later against Turkmenistan. They won 3–1. Bhutia again scored a brace while Abhishek Yadav scored the third goal as India ran out 3–1 winners. Unfortunately, in their final match against China, India could not find the net as they fell 2–0 and thus were knocked-out of the Asian Games.

2006 Doha Games

During the 2006 Asian Games India were placed in a group with Iran, Hong Kong, and Maldives. In their first match against Hong Kong, India drew 1–1 with Pappachen Pradeep scoring the lone Indian goal. In their second match, India faced off against Maldives and won 2–1. Irungbam Surkumar Singh and Subhas Sumbhu Chakrobarty were the scorers for India that night. Finally, in their last match against Iran, India once again lost 2–0 and thus were once again knocked-out of the Asian Games.

2010 Guangzhou Games

During the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, China, India were placed in a group with Qatar, Kuwait Athletes, and Singapore. India lost their first match against the Kuwait Athletes 2–0 and then lost their second match against Qatar 2–1 with the lone India goal coming from Dharmaraj Ravanan. India went on to win their final match of the group stage against Singapore 4–1. Four players scored each goal, Jewel Raja, Balwant Singh, Jibon Singh, and Manish Maithani. The victory managed to help India finish in third-place which then helped India become the best third-place team out of all the other third-placed teams and thus qualified them for the Round of 16.

In the Round of 16, India took on powerhouse Japan at the Huangpu Sports Center. India went on to lose the match 5–0 with Kensuke Nagai scoring a brace and Ryohei Yamazaki, Kazuya Yamamura, and Kota Mizunuma scoring a goal each.

2014 Incheon Games

For the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea, India were placed in Group G with Jordan and the United Arab Emirates. In their first match against the United Arab Emirates, India went down 5–0. Seven days later, India were defeated by Jordan 2–0 to end their Asian Games participation.

2022 Hangzhou Games

At the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, India were placed in Group A with China, Myanmar and the Bangladesh. In the first match China defeated India 1–5. India won their next Match against Bangladesh 1–0 and played out a 1–1 draw with Myanmar. But in the Round of 16 they lost against Saudi Arabia 0–2.

Other tournaments

2009 SAFF Championship

Before the 2009 SAFF Championship in Bangladesh, it was announced that India would send the under-23 side to the tournament. India were placed in Group A with Afghanistan, Maldives, and Nepal. In their first match against Afghanistan, India won 1–0 through Jeje Lalpekhlua. In their next match against Nepal, a Sushil Kumar Singh goal was the difference as India won again 1–0. Despite losing the last match of the group stage to Maldives 2–0 India were still through to the semi-finals.

India defeated Bangladesh in the semi-finals 1–0 through Sushil Kumar Singh. Finally, in the final against Maldives, India won through penalties 3–1 after finishing extra-time with the score at 0–0 to win the championship.

The India U23 soccer team, representing the nation in international competitions, is a dynamic and promising squad that showcases the future of Indian football. Comprising talented young players typically under the age of 23, this team serves as a crucial stepping stone for athletes aspiring to make their mark in senior-level football.

The India U23 team is known for its blend of skill, speed, and tactical awareness, reflecting the growing investment in youth development programs across the country. With a focus on nurturing homegrown talent, the team aims to compete at the highest levels, including regional tournaments like the AFC U23 Championship and the Olympic qualifiers.

Coached by experienced professionals, the squad emphasizes teamwork, discipline, and a strong work ethic, fostering a competitive spirit that drives players to excel. The team's style of play is characterized by quick passing, strategic positioning, and an attacking mindset, aiming to entertain fans while striving for victory.

As the future of Indian football, the India U23 team not only aims to achieve success on the field but also seeks to inspire a new generation of players and fans, contributing to the growth and popularity of soccer in India. With each match, they carry the hopes and dreams of a nation eager to establish itself as a formidable force in the world of football.