AIFF Media Team

NEW DELHI: The India U23 men’s national team lost 1-3 against Iraq in their second closed-doors friendly match at the Kuala Lumpur Football Stadium, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Thursday, August 28, 2025.

The Blue Colts impressed in the first half, taking a deserved 1-0 lead into the break. However, Iraq came back stronger after the restart, netting three times to turn the match in their favour. Iraq won the first friendly 2-1.

Despite the results, the friendlies provided valuable exposure and preparation for the squad as they gear up for the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers in Doha, where they face Bahrain on September 3, hosts Qatar on September 6, and Brunei Darussalam on September 9.