Shillong, July 14: Lionel Daryl Rymmei, a promising goalkeeper from Meghalaya, is among the five candidates being considered for the Indian national U-20 men’s squad for the upcoming SAFF U-20 Championship in Nepal this August.
Currently, Lionel is training in Goa as part of a camp for 36 hopefuls, led by head coach Ranjan Chaudhuri, which commenced at the end of June.The SAFF tournament is scheduled to take place from August 18th to 28th in Kathmandu. India has been placed in Group B alongside the Maldives and Bhutan, while Group A consists of Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
Post the SAFF campaign, the squad will remain in Goa to prepare for the 2025 AFC U-20 Asian Cup Qualifiers, which will be held in Laos in September 2024. India is in Group G with Iran, Mongolia, and Laos.
Lionel, who currently plays for FC Goa, has previously represented the U-19 Indian team and the Meghalaya state team at the National Football Championship for the Santosh Trophy earlier this year, as well as in last year’s 37th National Games.
Lionel’s inclusion in the final squad would be a significant milestone for the young goalkeeper, reflecting his hard work and dedication to the sport. His potential selection not only brings pride to Meghalaya but also highlights the growing talent pool in Indian football.
As the SAFF U-20 Championship approaches, all eyes will be on the final squad announcement, eagerly anticipating Lionel’s potential contribution to India’s success on the international stage.
