Manbhakupar Malngiang and Banlamkupar Rynjah have both been selected in India’s U-17 men’s national football team, it was revealed today. This follows on from news that Lionel Daryl Rymmei was picked in India’s U-20 team.
Manbha and Banlam were included in the list of 31 probables that underwent selection at a camp in Srinagar. The U-17 national team will take part in the SAFF U-17 Men’s Championship 2024 in Bhutan in September and also participate in the AFC U-17 Asian Cup Qualifiers in Thailand in October. As part of the team’s preparations, the squad will travel to Bali to play two friendlies against Indonesia on August 25 and 27.
Manbhakupar is registered with Lah Bet FC, which has a tie-up with Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools. He already has national team experience, having been part of the Indian team that won the SAFF U-16 Championship final against Bangladesh in September last year.
Banlamkupar plays locally for Shillong Lajong FC, which described him as a forward, though the All India Football Federation has listed him among the midfielders.
The seven-nation SAFF tournament will be played in Bhutan from September 18 to 28. India are clubbed with Maldives and Bangladesh in Group A, while Bhutan, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are in Group B.
Once the SAFF campaign is over, the squad will continue to train in Srinagar for the 2025 AFC U-17 Asian Cup Qualifiers to be played in October in Thailand.
Meanwhile, Lionel was one of five goalkeepers being considered for the tournament at a camp for probables in Goa and he has made the cut for coach Ranjan Chaudhuri’s 23-member squad.
India have been slotted in Group B with Bhutan and Maldives. Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are in Group A.
India’s first match will be against Bhutan on August 19 followed by Maldives on August 23. Both matches will kick off at 3:45pm India time.
Lionel is currently an FC Goa player. He has previously played for the U-19 Indian team and also for the Meghalaya state team at the National Football Championship for the Santosh Trophy earlier this year and last year’s 37th National Games.
Once the SAFF campaign is over, the squad will continue to train in Goa for the 2025 AFC U-20 Asian Cup Qualifiers to be played in September 2024 in Laos. India are clubbed with Iran, Mongolia and Laos in Group G.
