Singapore U-17 trio to watch as India prepare for Group E clash in AFC U-17 qualifiers
India U-17 will face Singapore U-17 in a Group E fixture of the 2027 AFC U-17 Asian Cup qualifiers at Kuala Lumpur Stadium in Malaysia on November 11, with kickoff at 06:30 PM IST (18:30 IST); Singapore enter the game after a 6-0 opening victory over Guam. The match is part of the qualifying tournament being played in Kuala Lumpur.
Much of Indian football’s attention has been on the senior team travelling to New Zealand and a second-string side composed largely of U-23 players competing in the SAFF Championship in Dhaka, while the India U-17 national team return to qualifiers that will determine qualification for the 2027 AFC U-17 Asian Cup. The Blue Colts qualified for and featured in the 2026 AFC U-17 Asian Cup under then head coach Bibiano Fernandes and have an opportunity to reach consecutive editions for the first time since the 2016 and 2018 tournaments. Mehrajuddin Wadoo has taken over as head coach of the India U-17 side; Bibiano Fernandes stepped down to take charge of the U-15 team and is now serving as Naushad Moosa’s assistant in the 2026 SAFF Championship. Group E contains Singapore, Guam, Palestine and Malaysia alongside India, and the qualifiers have kicked off in Kuala Lumpur with every team except India having played on November 8.
Gavriel Lai Keng Lum is a midfielder currently with Club Madrid City in Spain after moving from Singapore to Spain at a very young age; he scored in Singapore’s opening qualifier against Guam and also found the net against Brunei in the 2026 ASEAN U-17 Cup, underlining his goal threat from midfield. His development in Spain is cited in reports as the source of his technical ability and composure in possession, and his movement and tenacity are noted as attributes for navigating pressure in central areas.
Aidan Bin Irfan, who is the Singapore U-17 captain and a striker, is also developing his game in Spain and arrives having scored in both of his previous appearances. He played as a target man against Guam, making well-timed runs into the box and converting after a goalkeeper’s mistake, examples given for his goal-scoring instincts and attacking presence.
Aymaan Aris, described as one of the youngest players in the Singapore U-17 squad, moved to Portugal early in his development and operates primarily as an attacking midfielder who can play on the wing. He is characterized in reports as technically gifted and enjoys taking on defenders; in interviews he has said he wants to model his style on Neymar. Although Aymaan started the opening game against Guam on the bench, coverage expects him to pose a threat whether he starts or comes on as a substitute.
The Singapore U-17s opened Group E with a 6-0 victory over Guam in Kuala Lumpur, a result that sets the stage for their meeting with India on November 11. The match is scheduled to kick off at 18:30 IST on November 11 at the Kuala Lumpur Stadium in Malaysia, where Mehrajuddin Wadoo’s India U-17 side will begin their qualifying campaign.