Soumo Ghosh
AIFF Media Team

VIENTIANE, LAOS: The sternest of tests awaits the India U20 men’s national team, as they prepare for their second match in Group G of the AFC U20 Asian Cup Qualifiers 2025 – the mighty Iran, four-time champions of the competition.

The Blue Colts, however, are a confident bunch, as they prepare for the big game. A 4-1 victory in their opening game of the qualifiers against Mongolia set the tone for India, who are now looking to build on the same to put in a good performance against IR Iran.

Manglenthang Kipgen, who scored a brace against Mongolia, two sweetly-timed left-footed strikes at the far post, believes in being flexible with the plans.

“It was important for us to get three points in the first match. This gave us a lot of confidence, which we can now build on,” he said. “It’s all about using every game to progress bit by bit.

“Even in the game against Mongolia, we had such a good first half, but we still went in tied 1-1. Certain things were not working for us, so we managed to change our approach as per the coach’s plans, and then things began to open up for us. We must be able to be fluid with the plans like that. If one does not work, we can always try the next,” he said.

Kelvin Singh Taorem had opened the scoring for India in the first half, as his corner, aimed at the far post was misjudged by the opposition keeper, as he crept in. The young winger, however, will take whatever luck that comes his way.

“That was my first (junior) international goal,” said Kelvin a toothy grin appearing on his face, the moment he recollected it. “I never expected it to go in. I just tried to send it at the far post, so that somebody could head it in, but then the keeper misread it. I don’t mind how that goal came, I’m just happy that I scored it. I’ve worked hard for it.”

For the Blue Colts, it was a matter of redemption, after losing to Bangladesh in the penalty shootouts in the SAFF U20 Championship last month in Nepal.

“It was very hard for us to put that defeat behind us. We felt terrible after that match. But we had 18 days to improve ourselves, to sort things out,” said Kelvin. “Everyone worked harder, and communication was one thing that we worked on a lot. At the end, I hope that hard work pays off.”

The India U20s will play their next match against IR Iran at the Lao National Stadium KM16, a match that will kick off at 2.30 pm IST.