AFC U-23 Championship: India kick off practice in Doha

Doha[Qatar], July 17 (ANI): The India U-23 team kicked off their practice for the AFC U-23 championship to be held in Doha this month. They will be training under head coach Stephen Constantine at the Suheim Bin Hamad Stadium, commonly known as Qatar Sports Club. Incidentally, this is the same stadium where JSW Bengaluru FC lost to Air Force Club in the 2016 AFC Champions Cup. Despite the hot weather in Doha, Constantine was eagerly anticipating getting on the training pitch and shaping his plans ahead of the tournament. "I don't think the weather will be a problem. It has been hot in India and we are physically ready for the games,'' Constantine stated. India have been pitted against heavyweights like Qatar and Syria in the group stages but Constantine believes that they need to respect all the opponents equally. India play their first match against Syria at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha on July 19. The 23-member squad stays as follows: Goalkeepers: Vishal Kaith, Kamaljit Singh, Sukhadev Patil Defenders: Salam Ranjan Singh, Lalruatthara, Jerry Lalrinzuala, Davinder Singh, Nishu Kumar, Sairuathkima, Sarthak Golui, Kamalpreet Singh Grewal Midfielders: Anirudh Thapa, Nikhil Poojari, Nandha Kumar, Germanpreet Singh, Mawihmingthanga, Vinit Rai, Robinson Singh, Lallianzuala Changthe Forwards: Hitesh Sharma, Alen Deory, Manvir Singh, Daniel Lalhlimpuia (ANI)