U23 continental

AFC U23 Asian Cup: The India U23 men's team has reached Tajikistan to play two friendly matches against the hosts and the Kyrgyz Republic. The Blue Colts will first take on Tajikistan on Wednesday at the Hisor Central Stadium.

Led by head coach Naushad Moosa, the India U23 team had been camping in Kolkata since June 1 before travelling to the Central Asian nation. After landing in the capital Dushanbe on Monday evening, Moosa's 23-member squad had a mobility session on Tuesday morning and will hold a 90-minute training session in the evening. On June 21, India will meet the Kyrgyz Republic in the second game.

"The boys are very eager for tomorrow. I've been talking to them about how important these games will be for us," said Moosa, for whom it's his second tour with the U23 team, after coaching them in two friendlies against Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur last year.