The Indian U17 men's teamhead coach, Bibiano Fernandes, on Friday, September 12, named a 23-member squadfor the SAFF U17 Championship Sri Lanka 2025.

The Blue Colts, who havebeen training in Goa for almost two months, since the trials began in July,will arrive in Colombo on Saturday afternoon. India are placed in Group B wherethey will face Maldives (September 16), Bhutan (September 19) and Pakistan(September 22).

The semi-finals will beheld on September 25, followed by the final on September 27. All matches willbe played at the Racecourse International Stadium. India are the defendingchampions, having defeated Bangladesh 2-0 to win the SAFF U17 title in Bhutanlast year.

The long-term goal of theBlue Colts is to qualify for the AFC U17 Asian Cup 2026, the qualifiers forwhich will be held in November 2025, in Ahmedabad.

India's 23-member squadfor the SAFF U17 Championship Sri Lanka 2025: Goalkeepers: Manashjyoti Baruah,Maroof Shafi, Rajrup Sarkar.

Defenders: Houlungou Mate,Indra Rana Magar, Konthoujam Korou Meitei, Md Aimaan Bin, R Lawmsangzuala,Shubham Poonia, Yumnam Maldino Singh.

Midfielders: Abrar AliBaba, Dallalmuon Gangte, Thanggoumang Touthang, Thokchom Diamond Singh,Wangkhem Denny Singh, Yengkhom Nitishkumar Meitei.

Forwards: Aazim ParveezNajar, Azlaan Shah Kh, Gunleiba Wangkheirakpam, Hrishikesh Charan Manavathi,Kamgouhao Doungel, Lesvin Rebelo, Rahan Ahmed.

Head coach: BibianoFernandes

Assistant coach: ChandamChitrasen Singh

Goalkeeping coach:Parshuram Salwadi

Strength and conditioningcoach: Karan Mane

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