India is putting the final touches on their preparations as they gear up to begin their AFC U20 Asian Cup China 2025 qualification campaign in Vientiane, Laos. The Blue Colts will kick off their journey in Group G at the Lao National Stadium KM16 on Wednesday, September 25, at 2.30 PM IST, against Mongolia. The top team from each group, along with the five best second-placed teams across 10 groups, will secure a spot in the main tournament.
India’s head coach, Ranjan Chaudhuri, expressed his confidence during the pre-tournament press conference, stating, “We’ve been preparing well for the last three months, and the boys are ready for the challenge. Our aim is to qualify for the AFC U20 Asian Cup for the first time, which would be a significant achievement for the team. Not only will it provide valuable experience, but it will also place India on the Asian football map at this age level.”
Chaudhuri emphasized the importance of starting the campaign with a win against Mongolia. “The first match in any tournament is crucial. We must secure three points, which will help set the tone for the rest of the qualifiers. Mongolia is a strong side, and we need to be at our best, but we are confident and focused on the task ahead.”
India arrived in Vientiane on Monday evening (September 23), and after a good night’s rest, the first agenda on Tuesday morning was the announcement of Thomas K. Cherian as the team captain. The young defender, fully embracing the responsibility, said, “We have a great responsibility towards our nation, and we’ve prepared thoroughly for this. The mindset of the team is positive, and we are ready to deliver our best performance.”
On the other side, Mongolia’s head coach Anar Batchuluun shared his thoughts, mentioning that while they were initially concerned about the weather, the conditions were manageable. “We have to adjust to the natural turf here, as we’re used to playing on artificial grounds back home. India is a strong opponent, but we’ve done our homework on all the teams, and we will give it our best.”
For Mongolia, adapting to the natural turf remains a key factor as they aim to overcome India in their first match.