The India U23 men’s football team will compete against Iraq on Monday in the first of two friendly matches, as part of their preparation for the AFC U23 Asian Cup qualifications next month.
The game is played behind closed doors.
In the early evening 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 also about our own performance. If we play with discipline, unity and the Vechtgeest we have in the last 20 days, the boys will be the challenge.
The Blue Colts compete against Bahrain (3 September), host Qatar (September 6) and Brunei Darussalam (September 9), in Group H in the qualifications.
«Playing a team like Iraq will provide the right kind of challenges for our boys for the qualifications,» said Moosa. «It’s not just about the results, but also about building trust, testing ourselves in pressure situations and learning how to tackle the intensity with which we will be confronted in the AFC U23 Asian Cup qualifications.»
«We had a 20-day camp, where the boys worked very hard. The emphasis was on improving our fitness, understanding our shape and developing the right combinations on the field,» said the India U23 head coach. «The energy and attitude have been excellent for the boys, and now it’s all about wearing hard work in the competition.»
The second friendly match of the India U23S against Iraq is on 28 August, after which the team goes to Qatar for the qualifications.
Published on August 24, 2025
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