Xtra Time Web Desk : The All India Football Federation (AIFF) had planned to host the prerparatory camp for the AFC Under-23 Asian Cup qualifiers from August 12 in Bhubaneswar. However, due to clubs not releasing their players, the AIFF has been compelled to postpone the camp to August 20. Multiple clubs are reluctant to let go of their players as both Mohun Bagan Super Giant and Odisha FC are participating in the AFC Cup, while Mumbai City FC is involved in the AFC Champions League.
In light of this, AIFF General Secretary Shaji Prabhakaran wrote a letter to all clubs, stating, “Due to the pre-season preparation camp for ISL teams and the AFC Cup group stage commitments, we have postponed the qualification camp to begin from August 20, although the list of players will remain the same.”
India’s U-23 team will face Maldives in the qualification phase on September 6. Following that, on September 9, India’s U-23 team will play against host nation China, and on September 12, they will face the United Arab Emirates in the AFC U-23 Asian Cup qualification matches.