India U23 men’s national team will face Thailand U23 on November 15, 2025, at Thammasat Stadium in Pathum Thani.
On paper, it is a friendly. In practical terms, it is a crucial evaluation point in these teams preparation cycle for two major upcoming tournaments: the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026 in Saudi Arabia and the 2026 Asian Games in Japan. The match is a continuation of a deliberate and strategically aggressive development programme undertaken by head coach Naushad Moosa, who has been explicit that this phase of India’s footballing development requires exposure to stronger opposition, even if it means accepting short-term defeats for long-term progress.
For Moosa and the All India Football Federation (AIFF), the U23 squad is not a standalone age-group project. It is intended to serve as a bridge to the senior national team and a testing ground for the tactical and psychological demands of elite Asian football. The approach taken throughout 2025 reflects this. India have spent the year competing against teams that press higher, transition faster, and maintain possession control in the middle third areas Moosa stresses India must adapt to if they are to compete consistently outside South Asia.
Moosa’s direction has been clear: “I don’t mind losing if we learn.” This is not sentiment; it is a developmental philosophy anchored in the competitive gaps observed during recent years in senior Indian football. Unlike previous cycles, where youth results were occasionally prioritized, the current regime values structural growth, individual technical consistency, and role clarity.
2025 Performance Cycle: Signs of Tactical Growth
India U23’s performance through 2025 shows a meaningful shift. The group travelled, rotated, and exposed themselves to top-level Asian competition.
| Date | Opponent | Result | Competition | Key Notes |
| June | Tajikistan / Kyrgyz Republic | Mixed results | Exposure tour | First phase testing under stress |
| August | Iraq U23 | 1–2, 1–3 | Friendlies in Malaysia | High intensity, forced tactical adaptation |
| Sept 2025 | AFC U23 Qualifiers | 2–0 vs Bahrain; 1–2 vs Qatar; 6–0 vs Brunei | Official qualifiers | Finished among top five runners-up |
| Oct 2025 | Indonesia U23 | 2–1 and 1–1 | Friendlies | Showed attacking fluency and resilience |
The developmental evidence is clear: India can score, India can sustain midfield possession in controlled phases, and India can transition effectively when central structures remain disciplined. The challenge now is consistency particularly under aggressive counter-attacking pressure, the hallmark of the Thai system.
Squad Selection: Depth Through the Middle
The 25-player probable list for the Thailand match reveals emphasis on midfield volume and defensive cohesion. Ten midfielders have been included, a deliberate choice by the coaching staff, reflecting the need to test multiple central configurations against Thailand’s fluid 4-3-3 and 4-1-4-1 tactical shapes.
The midfield is led by Vibin Mohanan (Kerala Blasters), whose impact during the AFC qualifiers including a hat-trick against Brunei has established him as the program’s central pivot. Vibin’s positional awareness and passing reliability have matured across two full ISL seasons, and his long-term club contract ensures stability in his developmental environment. In Moosa’s system, Vibin is not merely a passer; he is the defensive filter who must break Thai transitions before they reach the Indian back line.
Supporting him are Ayush Dev Chhetri, Lalrinliana Hnamte, and Mohammed Aimen each capable of alternating between central stability and forward progression. This gives India the option to play with a double pivot when defending, or a higher interior 8 when building possession.
Defensive and Goalkeeping Foundation
The defensive structure remains consistent with those selected across the 2025 cycle. Dippendu Biswas brings composure and long-term club security at Mohun Bagan SG. Ricky Meetei and Muhammed Saheef provide full-back range and recovery speed — attributes that will be tested heavily against Thailand’s rapid wide movements. The goalkeeping unit, featuring Dipesh Chauhan and Kamaludheen AK, maintains depth but the final selection will depend on command, not reflexes; Thailand’s threat lies more in structured breakouts than long-range efforts.
The forward line suggests a clear attacking identity built on transition speed. Parthib Gogoi (NorthEast United FC) stands out as India’s primary attacking reference. His ISL output, particularly his efficiency in 1v1 wing duels, makes him India’s most credible goal-production threat. His ability to isolate full-backs and create shot zones will be central to India’s scoring chances.
Korou Singh Thingujam, who scored against Indonesia, provides a second wide option with penetration and tracking discipline. The structure suggests that India will not build patiently through the middle; they will look to hit quickly into wide spaces before Thailand organise their block.
Opposition: Thailand’s Transitional Threat
Thailand U23 are technically assured, disciplined, and highly efficient in transition. Their model is simple but dangerous: hold shape, absorb pressure, win the ball, break quickly through the wide lanes. Their recent results a 6–0 win over Mongolia, a 2–2 draw with Lebanon, and a 2–1 win over Malaysia reflect consistency against mid-tier Asian competition. Their 0–0 draw against China in October proves their ability to remain compact.
This fixture will therefore test how well India can defend while attacking specifically, how tightly they protect the central lanes in transition.
Success in this match is not binary. It is measured through:
- Reduction in transition turnovers per half
- Midfield discipline under aggressive counter pressure
- Consistent wide threat from Gogoi and Korou Singh
- Structural cohesion in recovery runs
A draw would be a strong result. A goal scored in transition would validate the tactical plan. More important than either is clarity about who among this group can be trusted in January and September 2026.
This match is a checkpoint not a final exam. But what India learn in Pathum Thani will directly shape the team that walks into the Asian Games should they get a go ahead.
