AFC Youth Cup as preparations for 2011 Asian Cup

Kolkata, Oct 24 (UNI) AIFF is treating the AFC Youth Championship as the breeding ground for the nucleas of the team for Asia Cup 2011, for which India will bid as hosts.

Talking to the media, AIFF President Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi said, '' This is perhaps the biggest AFC tournament in India. Most of the players playing here will be a part of the Youth World Cup in 2010.'' For India this is the sowing of seeds for the 2011 Asia Cup, for which India may bid, he said.

Asked what according to him should be a satisfactory result for India in the AFC Youth Championship, he quipped, ''I would be happy if we are within the top eight. We have to face some very good teams. But being in the top four would be ideal.'' ''Iran, Japan, Australia and Saudi Arabia are hugely superior sides. We have some chances against teams like Jordan and Kyrghysztan,'' he added.

He was happy with the preparations and the fact that no player was injured.

India have made careful preparations for this tournament that commences simultaneously form October 29 in Bangalore and Kolkata.

Other than playing two tournaments in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka they went for training to Portugal and played friendlies in Laos.

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