AIFF Media Team

NEW DELHI: The India U20 men's team will participate in the Mandiri U20 Challenge Series 2025, a four-nation friendly tournament, in Indonesia from January 24 to 30, 2025. Syria, Jordan and hosts Indonesia are the other teams.

Biby Thomas Muttath has been appointed as the coach, with Mileswamy Govindaraju Ramachandran as the assistant coach and Dipankar Choudhury as the goalkeeper coach. Thomas, on Monday, named a 23-member squad consisting of 17 and 18 year-olds (born 2007 and 2008), who are preparing for the SAFF U19 Championship to be held from May 8 to 18, 2025.

India will begin the tournament with a match against Syria (January 24 at 14:30 IST), followed by Jordan (January 27 at 14:30 IST) and Indonesia (January 30 at 18:00 IST). The matches will be played at the Gelora Delta Stadium in Sidoarjo. All three of India's opponents are using the tournament to prepare for February's AFC U20 Asian Cup (with players born in 2005).

India, who had been camping in Goa, will depart for Sidoarjo on Tuesday, January 21. After the tournament, the team will have a break before reassembling with more players for a longer camp to continue the preparations for the SAFF U19 Championship.

India U20 squad for the Mandiri U20 Challenge Series, Indonesia:

Goalkeepers: Suraj Singh Aheibam, Alsabith Sulaiman Thekkekaramel, Karan Makkar.

Defenders: Yaipharemba Chingakham, Sumit Sharma Brahmacharimayum, Afinmon Baiju, Mukul Panwar, Malemngamba Singh Thokchom, Jodric Abranches.

Midfielders: Md. Arbash, Mahmad Sami, Levis Zangminlun, Manbhakupar Malngiang, Ahongshangbam Samson, Ninghthoukhongjam Rishi Singh, Jajo Prashan, Ngamgouhou Mate, Gurnaj Singh Grewal, Danny Meitei Laishram.

Forwards: Bharat Lairenjam, Lemmet Tangvah, Sujin S, Mohd. Zulkif.

Head Coach: Biby Thomas Muttath
Assistant Coach: Mileswamy Govindaraju Ramachandran
Goalkeeping Coach: Dipankar Choudhury
Strength and Conditioning Coach: Chelston Pinto

India's schedule in Mandiri U20 Challenge Series:
January 24 (14:30 IST): India vs Syria
January 27 (14:30 IST): Jordan vs India
January 30 (18:00 IST): Indonesia vs India

Venue: Gelora Delta Stadium, Sidoarjo