India begin AFC U17 Asian Cup qualifying against Singapore

India’s men’s U17 team begin their campaign in the 2027 AFC U17 Asian Cup qualifiers against Singapore on Wednesday at the Kuala Lumpur Football Stadium. India are aiming to reach the tournament for the second time in a row and qualify for the eleventh time in their history.

Group E also features hosts Malaysia, Palestine and Guam, with only the group winners qualifying for the finals, scheduled to take place in Uzbekistan from 12 to 29 May 2027. India are the only team in the group to have qualified for the 2026 edition, but they were eliminated in the group stage after losing to Australia and Uzbekistan.

New coach Mehrajuddin Wadoo led India’s preparations, which began with a camp in Goa in September and included the assessment of more than 100 players before the final 23-man squad was selected. The team played two friendlies in Myanmar, drawing the first 1-1 and winning the second 4-0, before playing two matches against the UAE: the first ended in a goalless draw and India won the second 4-1.

Wadoo said the friendlies had benefited the team and that the match against the UAE was tougher than the previous ones and gave his players a confidence boost. He added that India had watched Singapore’s 6-0 win over Guam, but stressed that his team would focus on executing its game plan and playing to its strengths. In the other match in the group, Palestine beat Malaysia 2-0.

The qualifiers are Wadoo’s first campaign as head coach of the team, having previously represented India as a player. He stressed the importance of building the players’ mental strength and self-confidence alongside their technical and physical development, saying the team’s aim was to compete with confidence and qualify for the tournament.

After facing Singapore, India will play Guam on 14 November, Palestine on 17 November and Malaysia on 20 November.