New Delhi, August 6, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The India U20 men’s football team secured a 1-0 victory over Singapore in their second closed-door friendly at the Centre for Sports Excellence in Bengaluru on Thursday.
Sumit Sharma Brahmacharimayum scored the decisive goal in the fifth minute as the Blue Colts completed a clean sweep of their two-match friendly series against Singapore.
India had earlier defeated Singapore 3-0 in the opening friendly on Monday. Rishi Singh Ningthoukhongjam put India ahead in first-half stoppage time before Singamayum Shami doubled the lead in the 63rd minute. Singapore then conceded an own goal in the 83rd minute.
The matches form part of India’s preparations for the AFC U20 Asian Cup China 2027 Qualifiers, scheduled to be held in Uzbekistan from August 31 to September 6.
Head coach Mahesh Gawali initially shortlisted 30 players from 102 footballers who attended nationwide trials before the training camp. Following further assessment, 26 players were selected to train with the national team.
Fifteen players have temporarily left the camp at the request of their respective clubs to take part in the Reliance Foundation Development League (RFDL) Japan Tour. The group includes eight players from Punjab FC, six from Bengaluru FC and one from FC Goa. They are expected to rejoin the national camp after returning from Japan next week.
Further assessments will be conducted before India finalises its preliminary squad for the Asian Cup qualifiers.
India have previously faced Singapore twice in official U20 men’s competitions, winning both encounters in the AFC Youth Championship. India recorded a 4-1 victory in 1966 before prevailing on penalties in the 1974 quarter-finals during their title-winning campaign.
The teams also met in two U19 international friendlies in Goa in 2017, with India winning the first 7-2 and Singapore taking the second 1-0.
In the upcoming qualifiers, India will face Syria on August 31, hosts Uzbekistan on September 3 and Bangladesh on September 6 in Tashkent.
FOLLOW NOW
