India national under-17 football team explained

India Under-17
Badge:Indian Football 2020.svg
Badge Size:180px
Fifa Trigramme:IND
Nickname:Blue Colts
Confederation:AFC (Asia)
Sub-Confederation:SAFF (South Asia)
Coach:Ishfaq Ahmed
Captain:Korou Singh
Pattern La1:_ind2425h
Pattern B1:_ind2425h
Pattern Ra1:_ind2425h
Pattern Sh1:_ind2425h
Leftarm1:00A9FF
Body1:00A9FF
Rightarm1:00A9FF
Shorts1:00A9FF
Socks1:00A9FF
Pattern La2:_ind2425a
Pattern B2:_ind2425a
Pattern Ra2:_ind24a
Pattern Sh2:_ind2425a
Leftarm2:FF6607
Body2:FF6607
Rightarm2:FF6607
Shorts2:FF6607
Socks2:FF6607
First Game: 2–1
(Bangkok, Thailand; 20 August 1984)
Largest Win: 13–0
(Bangkok, Thailand; 27 August 1984)[1]
Largest Loss: 8–0
(St. Petersburg, Russia; 8 January 2017)
Regional Name:World Cup
Regional Cup Apps:1
Regional Cup First:2017
Regional Cup Best:Group stage (2017)
2Ndregional Name:Asian Cup
2Ndregional Cup Apps:9
2Ndregional Cup First:1990
2Ndregional Cup Best:Quarter-final (2002, 2018)
3Rdregional Name:SAFF Championship
3Rdregional Cup Apps:8
3Rdregional Cup First:2011
3Rdregional Cup Best:Champions (2013, 2017, 2019, 2022, 2023)
4Thregional Name:WAFF Championship
4Thregional Cup Apps:1
4Thregional Cup First:2018
4Thregional Cup Best:Runners-up (2018)

The India national under-17 football team represents India in international football at the under-17 level. Controlled by the All India Football Federation, the governing body for football in India, the team is part of the Asian Football Confederation and the South Asian Football Federation.

History

FIFA U-17 World Cup

India has participated for the first time in FIFA U-17 World Cup as hosts in the 2017 edition of the tournament. This was the first time ever[2] that a team representing India would participate in the finals of a FIFA organized world tournament. India was placed in group A along with, United States, Ghana and Columbia. On 6 October 2017, India played their first ever match in FIFA-U17 World Cup history against United States in front of 47,000 spectators. But unfortunately, India lost the match by 3–0. India played their Second match against Colombia. In 82nd minute Jeakson Singh Thounaojam became the first Indian goalscorer in any FIFA tournament. In the third match of group stage, India faced Ghana where they lost 4–0, finishing bottom of the group A.[3] India also failed to qualify for 2019 edition when they lost by 1–0 in the Quarter final match against South Korea at the 2018 AFC U-16 Championship.

AFC U-17 Asian Cup

The AFC U-16 Championship is the top level tournament for under-16 football teams in Asia and began in 1985.[4] India participated in the tournament for the first time in 1990. They were knocked-out of the tournament in the group stage, finishing third in their four-team group with one against Jordan.[5] The team qualified again for the tournament in 1996 where they finished last in their group which included Bahrain, China, Iran, and Thailand. The team lost three of their four matches, with their sole victory coming against China.[6] Dipayan Bose scored 12 goals in the match most by any player.

India qualified again for the tournament in 2002, where they reached the quarter-final round, in their best result to date. The team took on South Korea in the quarter-finals but lost 3–1, and thus failed to advance further.[7] Following the 2002 tournament, India qualified for the next tournament in Japan. Two defeats and one victory in the group stage saw India finish third in their group, and were knocked out from the tournament.[8]

After failing to qualify for 2006 AFC U-17 Championship, India qualified for the 2008 edition. Two defeats before a sole victory over Indonesia saw India once again make it no further than the group stage.[9] The same result followed in 2012, only this time with no wins in the group stage.[10]

India, for the seventh time, participated in the tournament in 2016 with the nation hosting the tournament. Despite home advantage, India once again could not make it beyond the group stage and finished last in their group which consisted of themselves, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates.[11]

India qualified for 2018 AFC U-16 Championship by participating in the qualification round. India defeated Palestine, 3–0, then played a 2–2 draw against Nepal and finally qualified for the 2018 edition when they played a goalless draw against the defending champion Iraq. India played its group stage matches against Vietnam, Iran and Indonesia at the 2018 edition in Malaysia. They defeated Vietnam by 1–0, then held Iran to a goal less draw and finally qualified for the knock out stages by holding Indonesia to a 0–0 draw. In the quarter finals they were defeated 1–0 by heavy weights South Korea, ending their run in the tournament.[12]

India has also qualified for the 2020 AFC U-16 Championship by participating in the qualifying round. In the first game they defeated Turkmenistan 5–0. In the second game also they defeated Bahrain by an identical score line. They finally qualified for the finals by holding Uzbekistan to a 1–1 draw. India was clubbed with Korea Republic, Australia and Uzbekistan in Group C for the tournament.[13] But the tournament was called of due to COVID-19.[14]

India qualified for the 2023 AFC U-17 Asian Cup for third consecutive time. India defeated Maldives by 5–0, Kuwait by 3–0 and Myanmar by 4–1 but fell to Saudi Arabia by 1–2. India qualified as second placed best ranked teams making their 9th appearance in the tournament.[15] [16]

SAFF U-17 Championship

In 2009, the SAFF U-16 Championship was launched.[17] India participated in the first edition of the tournament in 2011. After an opening day surprise defeat to Pakistan, India qualified for the next round after defeating the Maldives 5–0. India then made it to the final, defeating Nepal on penalties, but again lost to Pakistan in the final 2–1.[18] India fared much better in the 2013 edition, finishing first in their group of Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, before defeating Afghanistan in the semi-final on penalties. In the final, India defeated Nepal 1–0 to win the tournament for the first time.[19]

As reigning champions, India entered the 2015 edition of the tournament with a 5–0 victory over Sri Lanka. India then suffered a 2–1 defeat to Bangladesh to finish second in the group, and but still qualified for the semi-finals. In the semi-finals, India once again defeated Nepal 1–0, but lost to Bangladesh in the final on penalties.[20]

At the 2017 edition India entered into semi-final, defeating Maldives and Nepal by 9–0 and 2–1 respectively. In the semi-final they defeated Bhutan by 3–0 and entered to the final and faced Nepal again and defeated them by 2–1 to become SAFF champion for the second time after 2013.[21]

2019 edition of the tournament was their third title. In this edition the tournament was played in round robin, thus India played against all other teams and managed to win all their matches without a goal conceded. In the final they faced Nepal whom they easily defeated by 7−0 margin, thus scoring 28 goals in 5 matches, becoming champions for the third time.[22]

2022 edition was their fourth title. In this edition, India was clubbed with Bhutan and Nepal. India began their SAFF campaign with a comfortable 3-0 win over Bhutan but surprisingly lost to Nepal by 1–3. Though, India qualified for semi finals where they defeated Bangladesh by 1–2 score line. India again faced Nepal in the finals where now they defeated Nepal with 4-0.[23] [24]

At the 2023 edition India entered into semi-final, defeating Nepal and Bangladesh by the scoreline of 1–0 in both games.[25] [26] In the semi-final they defeated Maldives by 8–0 and entered to the final and faced Bangladesh.[27] India defeated them by 2–0 to become SAFF champion for the fifth time.[28]

AIFF Youth Cup

The AIFF Youth Cup was first competed for in 2016. It was organized by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) as a preparatory tournament for the India under-17 team for the 2016 AFC U-16 Championship and the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup. The first tournament was held from 15 May to 25 May 2016 at the Tilak Maidan Stadium in Vasco, Goa.[29] A total of five teams participated in the tournament after being invited by the All India Football Federation. The final was won 2–1 by South Korea over the United States.[30]

Coaching staff

Present coaching staff

PositionName
Head coach Ishfaq Ahmed
Assistant coach Yan Law
Goalkeeping coach Mohammed Zakeer Hussain
Team Counsultant Werner Martens
Physiotherapist sudarson raju
Physiotherapist Burhan Amin
Team Manager Rocky
Video Analyst Prajval V Chakravarthy
Media Manager Soumo Ghosh

Recent results and fixtures

For past match results of the under-17 team, see the results in Indian football seasons.

Matches in the last 12 months, and future scheduled matches

2024

Players

The following 22 players are named in the squad for the 2023 SAFF U-16 Championship.[31]

Caps and goals are correct as of 2 September 2023, after the match against .

Past squads

FIFA U-17 World Cup:
AFC U-16 Championship squads:

Competitive history

Red border indicates the team played as the host of the tournament.

FIFA U-17 World Cup

FIFA U-17 World Cup record
YearResultPosition
did not qualify
201724th300319-8
did not qualify
to be determined
Total 1/200 Titles 3 0 0 3 1 9-8
FIFA U-17 World Cup History
YearRoundScoreResult
2017Round 1 0–3 Loss
Round 1 1–2 Loss
Round 1 0–4 Loss

AFC U-17 Asian Cup

AFC U-17 Asian Cup record
Host/YearResultPosition
1985did not qualify
1986
1988
1990Group stage5th310226-4
1992did not qualify
1994
1996Group stage9th4103616-10
1998did not qualify
2000
2002Quarterfinals6th411279-2
2004Group stage10th310234-1
2006did not qualify
2008Group stage12th310238-5
2010did not qualify
2012Group stage13th302145-1
2014did not qualify
2016Group stage13th301259-4
2018Quarterfinals7th4121110
2020Qualified but cancelled
2023Group stage12th3012510-5
Total8/180 Titles3067173668-32
AFC U-17 Asian Cup Finals History
YearRoundScoreResult
1990Group A 0–3 Loss
1–3 Loss
1–0 Win
1996Group B 0–7 Loss
2–3 Loss
1–4 Loss
3–2 Win
2002Group A 1–4 Loss
4–1 Win
1–1 Draw
Quarterfinals 1–3 Loss
2004Group C 0–1 Loss
1–2 Loss
2–1 Win
2008Group B 2–5 Loss
0–3 Loss
1–0 Win
2012Group D 2–3 Loss
0–0 Draw
2–2 Draw
2016Group A 2–3 Loss
3–3 Draw
0–3 Loss
2018Group C 1–0 Win
0–0 Draw
0–0 Draw
Quarterfinals 0–1 Loss
2023Group D 1–1 Draw
0–1 Loss
4–8 Loss

AFC U-17 Asian Cup Qualification

AFC U-17 Asian Cup qualification record
Year
19854112155+10
1986100104-4
1988411258-3
19902101330
1992420294+5
1994201113-2
1996[32]
1998311161+5
2000320191+8
20022200120+12
2004211051+4
20062101113+8
20085410182+16
20105113615-9
201243011311+2
20144112105+5
20163201113+8
2018312052+3
20203210111+10
20234301133+10
Total6029112016375+88
AFC U-17 Asian Cup Qualification History
YearRoundScoreResult
1985Group 2A 1–2 Loss
0–2 Loss
1–1 Draw
13–0 Win
1986Group 4 0–4 Loss
1988Group 3 1–1 Draw
4–0 Win
0–2 Loss
0–5 Loss
1990Group 4 1–2 Loss
2–1 Win
1992Group 3 1–2 Loss
2–0 Win
6–0 Win
0–2 Loss
1994Group 3 0–0 Draw
1–3 Loss
1998Group 4 0–1 Loss
6–0 Win
0–0 Draw
2000Group 4 6–0 Win
3–0 Win
0–1 Loss
2002Group 4 10–0 Win
2–0 Win
2004Group 6 1–1 Draw
4–0 Win
2006Group G 9–0 Win
2–3 Loss
2008Group C 6–0 Win
2–2 Draw
3–0 Win
3–0 Win
4–0 Win
2010Group D 1–6 Loss
2–1 Win
0–0 Draw
0–2 Loss
3–6 Loss
2014Group A 1–1 Draw
0–1 Loss
8–1 Win
1–2 Loss
2016Group E 5–0 Win
0–3 Loss
6–0 Win
2018Group D 3–0 Win
2–2 Draw
0–0 Draw
2020Group B 5–0 Win
5–0 Win
1–1 Draw
2023Group D 5–0 Win
3–0 Win
4–1 Win
1–2 Draw

SAFF U-17 Championship

SAFF U-17 Championship record
Host/YearResultPosition
bgcolor=SilverRunners-up 2nd 4 1 1 2 7 4+3
bgcolor=GoldChampions 1st 4 3 1 0 7 1+6
bgcolor=SilverRunners-up 2nd 4 2 1 1 8 3+5
bgcolor=GoldChampions 1st 4 4 0 0 16 2+14
Semi-Final 3rd 4 2 1 1 6 3+3
bgcolor=GoldChampions 1st 5 5 0 0 28 0+28
bgcolor=GoldChampions 1st 4 3 0 1 10 4+6
bgcolor=GoldChampions1st 4400120+12
Total 8/85 Titles 33 24 4 5 94 17+77
SAFF U-17 Championship History
YearRoundScoreResult
2011Group A 0–1 Loss
5–0 Win
Semifinals 1–1 (4–2) PDraw
Final 1–2 Loss
2013Group B 4–1 Win
2–0 Win
Semifinals 0–0 (4–3) PDraw
Final 1–0 Win
2015Group A 5–0 Win
1–2 Loss
Semifinals 1–0 Win
Final 1–1 (2–4) PDraw
2017Group B 9–0 Win
2–1 Win
Semifinals 3–0 Win
Final 2–1 Win
2018Group B 1–2 Loss
4–0 Win
Semifinals 1–1 (2–4) PDraw
Third place 1–0 Win
2019Round Robin 5–0 Win
7–0 Win
5–0 Win
4–0 Win
Final 7–0 Win
2022Group B 3–0 Win
1–3 Loss
Semifinals 2–1 Win
Final 4–0 Win
2023Group A 1–0 Win
1–0 Win
Semifinals 8–0 Win
Final 2–0 Win

WAFF U-16 Championship

WAFF U-16 Championship History
YearRoundScoreResult
2018Round Robin 4–0 Win
1–2 Loss
1–0 Win
3–0 Win

Overall Competitive records

(excluding friendlies & minor tournaments)

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: India 13–0 Macau: Looking back at India U-16 team's biggest ever victory. goal.com. Goal. 3 September 2017. 11 February 2023. Atanu. Mitra. https://web.archive.org/web/20170909180504/https://www.goal.com/en-in/news/india-13-0-macau-india-u-16-teams-biggest-ever-victory/1pflwqnjs2s4m1wosmt3px1sni. 9 September 2017.
  2. Web site: FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017: All you need to know about India U17 Team - Goal.com. 13 March 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180224120534/http://www.goal.com/en-in/news/fifa-u-17-world-cup-2017-all-you-need-to-know-about-india/1pabd5ja92hhh1ibd99s0iwqwy. 24 February 2018. live.
  3. News: Official Emblem launched for FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017. 9 October 2016. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 27 September 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161001172345/http://www.fifa.com/u17worldcup/news/y=2016/m=9/news=official-emblem-launched-for-fifa-u-17-world-cup-india-2017-2837035.html. 1 October 2016. dead.
  4. News: AFC U-16 CHAMPIONSHIP INDIA 2016: MEET THE TEAMS. 9 October 2016. The Asian Football Confederation. 15 September 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161003125524/http://www.the-afc.com/u-16-championship-2016/afc-u-16-championship-india-2016-meet-the-teams. 3 October 2016. live.
  5. Web site: 4th Asian U-16 Championship 1990. RSSSF. 22 September 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121001051738/http://www.rsssf.com/tablesa/as-u16-90.html. 1 October 2012. live.
  6. Web site: 7th Asian U-16 Championship 1996. RSSSF. 22 September 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121001051802/http://www.rsssf.com/tablesa/as-u16-96.html. 1 October 2012. live.
  7. Web site: Asian U-17 Championship 2002. RSSSF. 22 September 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121001051952/http://www.rsssf.com/tablesa/as-u17-02.html. 1 October 2012. live.
  8. Web site: Asian U-17 Championship 2004. RSSSF. 22 September 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20131110021307/http://www.rsssf.com/tablesa/as-u17-04.html. 10 November 2013. live.
  9. Web site: AFC U-17 Championship 2008. Goalzz. 10 October 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160601204852/http://www.goalzz.com/main.aspx?c=3033. 1 June 2016. live.
  10. Web site: Asian U-16 Championship 2012. RSSSF. 10 October 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304231525/http://www.rsssf.com/tablesa/as-u16-2012.html. 4 March 2016. live.
  11. Web site: Asian U-16 Championship 2016. RSSSF. 10 October 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20170124162935/http://www.rsssf.com/tablesa/as-u16-2016.html. 24 January 2017. live.
  12. News: Gritty India suffer 0–1 defeat to Korea, fail to qualify for FIFA U-17 World Cup . 27 July 2020 . . 1 October 2018 . 27 August 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200827033821/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/gritty-india-suffer-0-1-defeat-to-korea-fail-to-qualify-for-fifa-u-17-world-cup/articleshow/66033478.cms . live .
  13. News: India U-16 boys clubbed with Korea Republic, Australia and Uzbekistan . 7 July 2020 . AIFF . 18 June 2020 . 27 June 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200627212347/http://www.the-aiff.com/article/india-u-16-boys-clubbed-with-korea-republic-australia-and-uzbekistan . live .
  14. Web site: Latest update on AFC Competitions in 2021. Asian Football Confederation. 25 January 2021. 30 December 2021.
  15. Web site: AFC U17 cast finalised. 9 September 2023.
  16. Web site: Asian U-17 Championship 2023. 9 September 2023.
  17. News: Hoque. Shishir. SAFF U-16 Championship shifted. 9 October 2016. Dhaka Tribune. 28 May 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20161010130442/http://archive.dhakatribune.com/football/2013/may/28/saff-u-16-championship-shifted. 10 October 2016. dead.
  18. Web site: 2011 SAFF U16 Championship. NepaliFootball. 10 October 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161010211726/http://nepalifootball.com/national-teams/men-team/team-news/9-domestic-football/b-division-league/162-saff-u-16-championship-2011. 10 October 2016. live.
  19. News: Nepal 0–1 India. 9 October 2016. GoalNepal. https://web.archive.org/web/20160514155817/http://www.goalnepal.com/matchinfo.php?id=1315. 14 May 2016. live.
  20. News: Bangladesh new SAFF U-16 champion. 9 October 2016. The Daily Star. 18 August 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20160306165315/http://www.thedailystar.net/sports/bangladesh-beat-india-win-saff-u-16-championship-128764. 6 March 2016. live.
  21. News: SAFF U-15 Championship 2017: India Colts beat Nepal to be crowned champions. 26 August 2018. Goal.com. 27 August 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20180826080741/http://www.goal.com/en-in/news/saff-u-15-championship-india-colts-beat-nepal-to-be-crowned/1a1fjwfgv3o8f19aq40a1m9rl4. 26 August 2018. live.
  22. Web site: WITH 28 GOALS IN 5 GAMES, INDIA LIFT SAFF U-15 TITLE . the-aiff.com . AIFF . 31 August 2019 . 14 September 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220914165945/https://www.the-aiff.com/article/with-28-goals-in-5-games-india-lift-saff-u-15-title . live .
  23. Web site: SAFF U-17 Championship Review: India win fourth title . 2023-06-09 . Khel Now . English.
  24. Web site: 2022-09-14 . SAFF U-17 Championship: India win title, defeat Nepal 4–0 in final . 2023-06-09 . Hindustan Times . en.
  25. Web site: MATCH_REPORT-1-BANGLADESH U-16-vs-INDIA U-16. 16 September 2023.
  26. Web site: MATCH_REPORT-5-INDIA U-16 -vs-NEPAL U-16. 16 September 2023.
  27. Web site: MATCH_REPORT-7-INDIA U-16 -vs-MALDIVES U-16. 16 September 2023.
  28. Web site: MATCH_REPORT-9-INDIA U-16 -vs-BANGLADESH U-16. 16 September 2023.
  29. Web site: AIFF Youth cup to kick off on May 15. the-aiff.com. 11 May 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160918072443/https://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=7155. 18 September 2016. live.
  30. Web site: Welcome to All India Football Federation. www.the-aiff.com. 10 March 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180310142002/https://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=7214. 10 March 2018. live.
  31. Web site: Ishfaq Ahmed names 23-member squad for SAFF U-16 Championship in Bhutan. 2 September 2023.
  32. Web site: 7th Asian U-16 Championship 1996. 3 May 2023.