The Indian national beach soccer team is set to make its long-awaited return to the international stage at the AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup, which will take place starting March 20, 2025, in Pattaya, Thailand. This moment marks India's participation after 18 years, as they aim to build upon their previous experience at the 2008 Asian Beach Games, which saw them struggling during group matches without securing any wins.
On March 13, 2025, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) proudly announced the 12-member squad along with Malaysian coach Mohd Faizal Bin MD Sood. The team preparations for this tournament have been extensive, consisting of two phases held in Porbandar, Gujarat, where 75 players were called up to participate initially and later narrowed down to the selected athletes who will compete for their nation.
India has been placed in Group A, along with host nation Thailand and two experienced teams, Kuwait and Lebanon. This grouping poses significant challenges, especially since Thailand and Kuwait were quarter-finalists during the previous edition of the tournament. India faces their first match against Thailand on March 20, 2025, followed by encounters with Kuwait on March 22 and Lebanon on March 24.
Faizal, who previously managed the Malaysia national beach soccer team, expressed optimism about the squad's chances moving forward. We have a chance to qualify for the quarter-finals. Of course, the other teams have been in beach soccer for a longer period, and with Thailand as the hosts, it will be even more challenging, but anything can happen in beach soccer, he remarked, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the sport.
With the tournament also offering qualification for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup—where the top three teams will secure spots—the stakes are high for the Indian squad. This year, the World Cup will be held in Seychelles, and participation there could mark another chapter for Indian beach soccer.
The squad assembled for this competition features goalkeepers Pratik Kankonkar and Raj Chauhan; defenders Nehal Parab, Sreejith Babu, Jaypal Singh, and Latish Kunkolkar; midfielders Rohith Yesudas, Mukhtar Umarul, Musheer TKB; and forwards Mohd Akram, Satish Naik, and Amit Godara.
Coach Faizal emphasized the advantages of the team's speed, believing it plays to their strengths. He stated, The good thing about Indian players is they are all fast, so it’s easy to develop a strategy, and the technical aspects become even more refined. This commitment to leveraging their agility will be pivotal as they strategize against their opponents.
The Indian players will depart for Pattaya on the evening of March 16, 2025, and are scheduled to arrive early on March 17, ensuring they have time to acclimate and prepare for the matches. Team morale is reportedly high, fueled by the extensive training and fan support leading up to their games.
While the competitive history may be heavy, the 2025 AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup offers India the opportunity to rewrite their narrative and re-establish themselves on the beach soccer front. The team and fans alike will be watching with hope and anticipation as the matches approach. The final matches will determine if they can carry forward this opportunity and possibly qualify for the World Cup.
The upcoming matches promise not just international exposure but hope for football lovers across India to witness their team compete at international levels after a long drought.