AIFF Media Team

NEW DELHI: The AIFF Elite Academy U-19 team is all set to participate in the Independence Cup, beginning on July 27 in Mizoram. The 10 team tournament will have 8 teams from the Mizoram Premier League and 2 outside sides including the AIFF U-19 boys. The final is slated for August 15, Independence Day.

“This will be a good assessment of the squad before the team heads to Bhutan for the SAFF Championship in September”, explained U-19 coach Floyd Pinto. “The AFC U-19 Championship qualifiers are in November and this tournament will certainly help us to evaluate and cut the down the squad to the desired number”.

“The focus is mainly to acclimatise and get used to the conditions in a higher altitude. The training is designed to increase stamina and strength”, added Pinto. “It is very similar to Bhutan and the only the fittest will survive and make the final squad for Saudi Arabia but the boys are up for the challenge.”

The AIFF Elite Academy U-19 team is scheduled to play in the Mizoram Independence Cup, after which it travels to Bhutan for the SAFF Championship and then finally to Saudi Arabia in November for their 2018 AFC U-19 Championship Qualifiers opener against Saudi Arabia on November 4.