AFC U17 Asian Cup Qualification First Target, Says New India Coach Mehrajuddin Wadoo

Mumbai: In India, the debate surrounding the country's failure to qualify for the FIFA World Cup has intensified, particularly in light of recent discussions about a possible push towards the 2034 World Cup. However, the prospect of India hosting the 2036 Olympics has further emphasized the need to nurture a strong generation of young footballers.

At the forefront of this development is former Indian defender Mehrajuddin Wadoo, who has been appointed head coach of the India U17 men's national team. Wadoo describes his role as a "big responsibility," acknowledging that these young players represent the future of Indian football. The camp for the AFC U17 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2027 Qualifiers kicked off on September 2, with Wadoo overseeing a squad of around 35 hopefuls.

The team, which will be narrowed down to 25 players, will participate in four friendly games before the qualifiers, mostly held abroad. India has been assigned to Group E for the Qualifiers, which will take place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from November 11 to 20. The Blue Colts will compete against hosts Malaysia, Palestine, Singapore, and Guam.

Wadoo's primary objective is to secure India's qualification for the AFC U17 Asian Cup, emphasizing that this is their first and foremost target as they have just over a month to prepare. Wadoo, 42, is acutely aware of the challenges he will face, having overcome his own difficulties growing up in Kashmir, where limited infrastructure and sporting opportunities were the norm.

His journey to the national team included overcoming adversity and playing in the AFC Challenge Cup in 2008, the 2011 AFC Asian Cup, the SAFF Championship in 2005, and the Nehru Cup in 2007 and 2009. He also played for Chennaiyin FC's ISL title-winning side in 2015. Wadoo is the third Kashmiri to coach an Indian national team at any level, following Sajad Dar, who managed the Indian women's team, and Ishfaq Ahmed, who recently led the India U16 boys' team.

Wadoo's coaching career began with Pune City FC's junior team, and he has since held positions at Mohammedan Sporting Club, Real Kashmir FC, Sudeva Delhi FC, and Hyderabad FC. As he takes on this significant role, Wadoo remains focused on helping India's next generation achieve their first taste of international football.