Shillong, May 1: Coach Bibiano Fernandes has named his 25-member Indian squad for the SAFF U-19 Championship 2025, with Shillong Lajong FC’s Yohaan Benjamin making the cut.
The squad arrived in Itanagar yesterday ahead of the tournament, which will take place from 9th to 18th May at the Golden Jubilee Stadium in Yupia.
TSR reported last month that Yohaan had been selected among 35 probables. Interestingly, he was named as a midfielder then but as a forward in the most recent list.
The Maharashtra born Yohaan has been in the Lajong youth setup for a few years now but he made a splash in the 2024 Shillong Premier League, which Lajong won. Capable on both wings, Yohaan is an attacking player and he scored 9 goals in all in SPL 2024; he wasn’t by any means the top scorer but he was remarkably consistent, scoring in nine separate matches. The 17-year-old was also an important part of the SLFC team that finished as runners-up in the Meghalaya State League 2024.
Hosts India will face Sri Lanka (9th May) and Nepal (13th May) in Group B. Maldives, Bhutan and Bangladesh are in Group A. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the semifinals that will be played on 16th May and the final will take place on 18th May.
The Indian contingent was met at Itanagar by All India Football Federation Treasurer and Arunachal Pradesh Football Association Honorary Secretary Kipa Ajay.
The Blue Colts had been training at the Padukone-Dravid Centre for Sports Excellence in Bangalore before arriving in Arunachal. This will be the North East state’s first time as hosts of an international football tournament. Tickets for the championship can be purchased on slotallot.in.
India’s 25-member squad:
Goalkeepers: Aarush Hari, Aheibam Suraj Singh, Rohit
Defenders: Ashik Adhikari, Takhellambam Bungson Singh, Jodric Abranches, Malemngamba Singh Thokchom, Mohammed Kaif, Mukul Panwar, Sumit Sharma Brahmacharimayum, Sohum Utreja, Roshan Singh Thangjam
Midfielders: Danny Meitei Laishram, Gurnaj Singh Grewal, Md Arbash, Ningthoukhongjam Rishi Singh, Daniyal Makakmayum, Singamayum Shami
Forwards: Ahongshangbam Samson, Bharat Lairenjam, Chaphamayum Rohen Singh, Omang Dodum, Prashan Jajo, Hemneichung Lunkim, Yohaan Benjamin
Support staff: Bibiano Fernandes (coach), Shafeeq Hassan M (assistant coach), Dipankar Choudhury (goalkeeping coach), Chelston Pinto (strength and conditioning coach)
(File photo)
