India U-16s to play seven international matches

NEW DELHI, June 29: Ramping up its preparations for the 2018 AFC U-16 Championships, the Indian junior team will play seven international matches against four national squads, its sojourn starting with a month-long three-nation tour of China, Thailand and Malaysia.

The July leg is marked as the All India Football Federation's (AIFF) final preparation ahead of the AFC Championship scheduled in September in Malaysia.

The boys, coached by Bibiano Fernandes have been training in Kolkata for the last five weeks since returning victorious from Serbia in May.

The 25-member squad and seven support staff will now leave for Weinan city, China tonight to participate in a four-nation invitational tournament alongside the U16 national teams of DPR Korea, Thailand and host China.

India open their campaign against host China on July 3 followed by matches against Thailand on July 5, and DPR Korea on July 7. IANS