New Delhi, June 22: The India U-23 football team played out a goal-less draw against Kyrgyz Republic in their second international friendly in Hisor, Tajikistan.
The Blue Colts had travelled to Tajikistan to play two friendly matches, the first of which they lost 2-3 against the hosts, as part of their preparations for the AFC U23 Asian Cup qualifiers later this year, and the Asian Games in 2026.
Head coach Naushad Moosa made eight changes to his starting XI from the game against Tajikistan, with only defenders Pramveer, Bikash Yumnam, and Abhishek Singh Tekcham retaining their place.
Despite the changes, Kyrgyz Republic looked the livelier of the two teams for a good part of the first half an hour on Saturday, while India tried to create the off-chances through their quick wingers.
Resolute not to give up, the Blue Colts clawed their way back and slowly found the momentum they were looking for as half-time ticked closer. Calmer and more composed on the ball, India finally began to create chances.
Parthib Sundar Gogoi had a vicious shot saved in the 38th minute, and six minutes later, worried the Kyrgyz defence once again, when he swung a low free-kick at the near post, which forced the Kyrgyz Republic keeper Chomoev Sultan to produce a diving save.
Another opportunity went begging just a minute before the break, when Vibin Mohanan found an unmarked Pramveer at the far post. The centre-back’s header, however, went over the crossbar.
Both teams could not find the back of the net in the second half as well despite coming close on few occasions.
The goalless draw may not have produced fireworks on the scoreboard, but it offered India’s U-23 side a much-needed boost of confidence and defensive discipline following their narrow defeat to Tajikistan earlier in the week. With wholesale changes to the starting XI, head coach Naushad Moosa used the friendly to test squad depth, and while the result was a stalemate, there were encouraging signs of tactical maturity and resilience, particularly in the second half.
The likes of Parthib Sundar Gogoi and Vibin Mohanan impressed with flashes of attacking intent, while the backline led by Pramveer and Bikash Yumnam held firm under intermittent pressure.
More importantly, the outing served as a valuable rehearsal for the tougher battles ahead as India look to build cohesion and momentum in their run-up to the AFC U23 Asian Cup qualifiers and the 2026 Asian Games. With plenty still to improve upon—particularly in the final third—this draw in Hisor stands not as an endpoint, but as a steady step in the long journey of India’s emerging football talents on the continental stage. (PTI)
