Pune: DSK Shivajians FC has named a 22-member squad for the Under-16 Youth League 2016-17. The Pune-based team kick-off their Maharashtra Zone campaign with a home game against PIFA, Mumbai at the DSK Dream City Football Fields on Saturday.
This year, the Maharashtra Zone comprises of two groups of four teams each. DSK Shivajians FC is in Group-B along with Mumbai FC and Steadfast FC-Mumbai Rush SC.
The teams will play on a home-away basis among themselves in the round robin stage. The group topper will qualify for the National Final Round.
The League, which commenced last season as the U-15 Youth League, has been refurbished as the U-16 Youth League keeping an eye on the forthcoming FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017.
The DSK Shivajians FC squad comprises of 11 players’ who represented the club (DSK Shivajians-LIFA) at the Subroto Cup 2016. The players include; C Vanlalhriata Chhangte (goalkeeper); Lalramchhuana, Guidingstar Malieh, Seikhohao Haokip (defender); F Malsawmtluanga, H Zawnhmingthanga, Batskhem Nongsiej, Laldawngkima, Seigoumang Doungle (midfielders) and Umer Sayed, C Lalremruata (strikers).
Four Pune youth also figure in the squad; Piyush Joshi (striker), Adnan Ahmed Sayed and Yunis Sheikh (midfielders) and Yuvraj Savant (defender).
Mizoram midfielder F. Malsawmtluanga has been named the captain of the DSK Shivajians FC. Incidentally, the playmaker also led the squad during the team's campaign in the Subroto Cup earlier this month.
Two players - Adnan Syed and Aniket Singh Thakur – from the DSK-LFC Academy Pre Development Squad also find themselves a place on the squad.
Head Coach Michael Rice explained; “The boys have had a great pre-season, which included the much needed exposure at the recently concluded Subroto Cup in New Delhi. They are ready and raring to go in this edition of the Youth League.”
THE TEAM
Goalkeepers: C Vanlalhriata Chhangte, Mayanglambam Nelson
Defenders: Lalramchhuana, Guidingstar Malieh, Seikhohao Haokip, Yuvraj Savant, Clivert Millar, Aniket Singh Thakur,
Midfielders: F Malsawmtluanga, H Zawnhmingthanga, Batskhem Nongsiej, Laldawngkima, Seigoumang Doungle, Harsh Bartwal, Krish Adhikari, Yunis Shaikh, Adnan Ahmed Sayed, Sameer Kashyap
Strikers: Umer Sayed, C Lalremruata , Piyush Joshi, Denzil Kharshangi
Officials: Michael Rice (Head Coach), Ramesh Bist (Coach), Sanjeet Naik (Coach), Harsh Ahuja (Manager), Samip Shah (Physio)
FIXTURES: Zonal Round (Group-B)
Round 1 – 22/10/2016 – DSK Shivajians FC vs. PIFA, Mumbai – DSK Dreamcity Football Fields - 4.00 PM IST
Round 2 – 6/11/2016 – Steadfast FC–Mumbai Rush FC vs. DSK Shivajians FC – All Saints HS, Kalyan - 3.30 PM IST
Round 3 – 12/11/2016 – DSK Shivajians FC vs. Mumbai FC – DSK Dreamcity Football Fields - 4.00 PM IST
Round 4 – 19/11/2016 – PIFA vs. DSK Shivajians FC – Cooperage Stadium - 3.30 PM IST
Round 5 – 24/11/2016 –DSK Shivajians FC vs. Steadfast FC-Mumbai Rush FC – DSK Dreamcity Football Fields - 4.00 PM IST
Round 6 – 27/11/2016 – Mumbai FC vs. DSK Shivajians FC - Cooperage Stadium - 4.00 PM IST