Moosa-led U-23 team gear up for Tajikistan

India men’s football team will take on hosts Tajikistan in a friendly match Wednesday, kicking off a crucial two-match tour that serves as preparation for the AFC U-23 Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers later this year.

- PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

The match will be played at the Hisor Central Stadium near Dushanbe, with the second fixture against Kyrgyz Republic scheduled for Saturday.

Drawn in Group E along-side Bahrain, Qatar and Brunei Darussalam, India will be aiming to qualify for the continental event for the first time when the qualifiers are held in September.

The ongoing tour is seen asa vital tune-up in terms of acclimatisation, team cohesion, and tactical fine-tuning.

The Naushad Moosa-coached 23-member squad had been in camp in Kolkata since June 1 before flying out to Dushanbe.

After arriving in the Tajik capital Monday evening, the team held a mobility session Tuesday morning and followed it up with a 90-minute evening training session at the venue, which is located around 25 kilometre from the city.