Pune: Peninsula Pune FC Academy player Md. Ashique Kuruniyan has been named in the 23-man India Under-19 team for the upcoming AFC Under-19 Championship Qualifiers which kick-off in Al-Ram, Palestine on October 2nd, 2015.

For the young striker, this will be the first time he represents India in an official continental competition after featuring for India U18s in the FAM-Frenz Asia Champions Trophy for clubs recently.

The Kerala-born youngster who joined PPFCA in 2014 played an integral part in Pune FC Under-19’s runners up finish in the U19 I-League 2014-15. He was then called up to the AIFF Elite Academy after impressing one and all with his performances in the final phase of U19 I-League in Pune and has been in Goa since June.

Going into the competition, the Indian team has been clubbed in Group C alongside hosts Palestine who they face in the opener on October 2nd. The youngsters will then face United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Afghanistan on October 4th and 6th respectively.

The 23-man squad announced by Coach Lee Johnson which also includes PPFCA graduate Sukhadev Patil, left Delhi for Palestine on Wednesday.

The Team

Goalkeepers: Sayak Barai, Rafique Ali Sardar, Sukhadev Patil

Defenders: Shahabaaz, Kapil Boro, Nishu Kumar, Gursimrat Singh Gill, Mohd Sajid Dhot, Sarthak Golui, Amey Ganesh Ranawade, Lalthakima

Midfielders: Lalramzauva Khiangte, Malsawmzuala, Bidyananda Singh Ningthoujam, Rakesh Oram, Vinit Rai

Forwards: Suman Sarkar, Milan Basumatary, Moinuddin, Daniel Lalhlimpuia, Md. Ashique Kuruniyan (Pune FC), Lallianzuala Chhangte, Mawihmingthanga