The decision to extend the contract was recommended by the AIFF's Technical Committee last month, and was subsequently ratified by the Executive Committee in their respective meetings in Kolkata last month
The Blue Colts arrived in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, from Muscat, Oman, on Thursday, September 29, 2022, before shifting to Al Khobar, where most of their matches will be taking place. They have been clubbed in Group D of the AFC U-17 Asian Cup Qualifiers, where they will face the likes of Maldiv
The Blue Tigers will travel to Vietnam on September 22, 2022, and subsequently play Singapore on September 24, and the hosts on September 27, before making the return journey back to India on September 28
Winger Ashique Kuruniyan believes the extended nine-month Indian football calendar from 2022-23 onwards will be useful for players aiming to feature in the Asian Cup.
India had already booked a spot in the AFC Asian Cup 2023 Group Stages by virtue of Palestine's 4-0 win over the Philippines but a win was a must for Igor Stimac and co. to end the qualification campaign on a positive note. Anwar Ali's early goal set the tone for his team as they thrashed Ho