The India U23 men’s football team will take on Iraq in the first of two friendly matches on Monday, as part of their preparation for the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers next month.
The match will be played behind closed doors.
Speaking on the eve of the match, India U23s head coach Naushad Moosa said, “Iraq are strong opponents, both physically and technically. But for us, it’s not just about the opponents, it’s about our own performance as well. If we play with discipline, unity, and the fighting spirit that we have built over the last 20 days, I am confident the boys will rise to the challenge. These are the kind of matches that make players stronger.”
The Blue Colts will take on Bahrain (September 3), host Qatar (September 6), and Brunei Darussalam (September 9), in Group H in the qualifiers.
“Playing a team like Iraq will present the right kind of challenges to our boys before the qualifiers,” said Moosa. “It’s not only about the results, but also about building confidence, testing ourselves in pressure situations, and learning how to handle the intensity we will face in the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers.”
“We had a 20-day camp, where the boys worked really hard. The focus was on improving our fitness, understanding our shape, and developing the right combinations on the pitch,” said the India U23 head coach. “The energy and attitude have been excellent from the boys, and now it’s all about carrying the hard work into the match.”
The India U23s’ second friendly match against Iraq will be on August 28, after which, the team will head to Qatar for the qualifiers.
Published on Aug 24, 2025
