PANAJI
Four talented Goans, Latish Kunkolkar, Satish Naik, Pratik Kankonkar, and Nehal Parab have been chosen to represent Team India at the AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup 2025 in Thailand.
The All India Football Federation announced the 12-member squad on Thursday for India's much-awaited return to the competition after 18 years. The tournament is scheduled to begin on March 20, in Pattaya, Thailand. India has been drawn in Group A alongside hosts Thailand, Kuwait, and Lebanon.
This marks India’s first international beach soccer tournament since the 2008 Asian Beach Games, where they were eliminated in the group stage, losing all three matches. This year’s tournament will feature 16 teams, divided into four groups. The top two teams from each group will advance to the quarterfinals, with the tournament following a knockout format.
The Indian team will be coached by Mohd Faizal Bin MD Sood from Malaysia. The AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup also offers a chance to qualify for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2025 in Seychelles, with the top three teams earning spots in the global competition.
India’s group features tough competition, as Thailand and Kuwait were quarterfinalists in the previous edition, while Lebanon was eliminated in the group stage. With an exciting mix of new talent and experience, the Indian team is ready to make its mark on the world stage.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Pratik Kankonkar, Raj Chauhan; Defenders: Nehal Parab, Srijith Babu, Jaypal Singh Sirsa, Umarul Mukthar Midfielders: Musheer TKB, Rohith Yesudas, Latish Kunkalkar; Strikers: Amit Godara, Satish Naik, and Muhammed Akram.
India's schedule (timing in IST):
March 20: Thailand vs India - 7:00 PM
March 22: India vs Kuwait - 3:30 PM
March 24: Lebanon vs India - 3:30 PM
