India U-23 to play Yemen for Doha Asian games warm-up

Kolkata, Oct 20 (UNI) An Indian U-23 side will play the Yemen tie in the last match of the Asian Qualifiers as part of the preparations for the Doha Asian Games and Olympics.

AIFF President Priya Ranjan Dasmunshi, during a sojourn to the city here today, said, ''As India has no chance to qualify, we have decided that instead of the senior team, the junior side will be given a chance to play the tie.'' Four seniors from the senior Indian side--Baichung Bhutia, Deepak Mondal, Sandip Nandy and Mahesh Gawli will be called for the last match.

''This will be a good preparatory trip for the junior side and so we have decided to give them a chance. They are preparing for thye Doha Asian games and the match can only bolster their confidence,'' he added.

Mr Das Munshi also said that preparations for the AFC Youth Championship that will commence simultaneously in Kolkata and Bangalore are in full swing.

He also said that there would be random dope test during the tournament which will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee in Kolkata leg.

Mr Munshi also said that the AIFF is also planning benefit matches for deceased national stars Sudip Chaterjee, Kajal Mukherjee and V P Sathyen.

About the games in Kolkata, he said that two matches will be played in Howrah Stadium instead of Barasat. Barasat Stadium may get Federation Cup matches instead.

He, however, refused to comment on the Vimal Pariyar issue stating that the AIFF had no intention of spoiling the career of a youg player.

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