India will aim for a maiden appearance in the final round of the AFC U-23 Championship Qualifiers when they begin their campaign at the continental football tournament, starting in Tashkent, Uzbekistan on March 22.
India have never made it to the final round of the AFC U23 Championship until now and in Tashkent too, the road looks tough as they have been clubbed along side defending champions Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.
India U-23 team head coach Derrick Pereira named 10 19-year-olds and even a 16-year-old in the squad.
"We should be excited about the possibility of making history," quipped Pereira.
"We need to find the right combination and fight with the correct spirit."
"In our group, Uzbekistan is the team that has the acumen for such style of football, and judging by our last game, I think we can stand our ground against them."
India U-23 squad:
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