India to play A-League premiers Sydney FC

The Indian national team are currently on an exposure trip in Australia...

The Indian U-23 national team will play A-League premiers Sydney FC in a friendly fixture on August 28, 2018. The Blue Tigers are in for training ahead of the SAFF Cup in September.

Sydney FC won the league stage of the 2017-18 season of A-League to become the premiers. They picked up 64 points from 27 games in the league to finish first, 14 points above Newcastle Jets. The playoff final was won by Melbourne Victory.

"Sydney FC are the current A-League Premiers Champion and the best-performing club over the last 3 years. It will be a huge test for us and we are ready for that,” head coach Stephen Constantine commented.

are also scheduled to play against APIA Leichhardt Tigers FC and Rydalmere Lions FC on August 25 and 31 respectively.

"We are scheduled to play against APIA Leichhardt tomorrow (August 25) and they have been on a decent run recently. They beat Melbourne Victory in a cup match earlier this week and we're getting ready for a taxing game," the head coach added.

"Our last game is against another NPL team Rydalmere Lions FC who have also made the right noises last season. Both of the teams would feature a mix of U-20 and senior team boys.

"While APIA Leichhardt Tigers FC are the reigning National Premier League NSW (New South ) premiers champion, Rydalmere Lions FC have been promoted to NSW NPL 2 after finishing at the top of NSW NPL 3 last season."

India will begin their SAFF Cup defence against Sri Lanka in Dhaka on September 5. They are scheduled to leave for Dhaka on September 2.