Aiming to prepare a strong team for the FIFA U-17 World Cup, the country's U-17 squad will be playing in a practice match against NorthEast XI in Guwahati on January 29, hoping to unearth more talent before the showpiece event gets going next summer.
The match will be organised by Shillong Lajong Football Club with the support of all the state football associations of the North East including Sikkim, Shillong Lajong FC said in a release today.
National team scouts will be present during the game and select the standout players for the U-17 World Cup probable squad.
A 22-member squad consisting of boys from the seven north eastern states Assam, Manipur, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura are currently training with Shillong Lajong FC in Shillong.
U-17 World Cup coach Nicholai Adams is looking to strengthen the squad and began a second round of scouting across India.
