India’s Head Coach says players underwent rigorous training for nearly 2 months in Goa to prepare for SAFF U-17 & AFC U-17 Asian Cup Qualifiers
JOVITO LOPES
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PANJIM: India Head coach Goa’s
Bibiano Fernandes clinched his fifth title in a final brimming with drama and tension, India U-17 men’s national team held their nerve to defeat Bangladesh 4-1 (2-2 full time) on nerve-racking penalties and lift their seventh SAFF U-17 Championship title at Racecourse International Stadium in Colombo, recently. The team remained unbeaten throughout.
Midfielder Lesvin Rebelo from Ambaulim-Quepem and a student of Damodar HSS, Gudi-Paroda, was the lone Goan player in the squad. He came in as a substitute for Rahan Ahmed in the 65th minute in the final.
In the final where India led 2-1 at half-time, Bangladesh clawed back with a last-gasp equaliser to level 2-2 and force the tie-breaker where the brave Blue Colts held their composure when it mattered the most.
The night ultimately belonged to coach Bibiano’s brave young side, who held their nerve under the floodlights to emerge victorious. It was the fifth SAFF title for Bibiano, and the second in less than five months, adding to the SAFF U-19 crown won in Arunachal Pradesh in May. He was also in charge of the Indian side that lifted the SAFF U-17 Championship 2022 in Sri Lanka.
Group A consisted of hosts Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bangladesh, while Group B had defending champions India, Maldives, Bhutan and Pakistan. The top two from each group advanced to the semi-finals. The Blue Colts recorded four wins from four matches, including a commanding 3-0 triumph over Nepal in the semi-finals.
Bibiano praised the team’s dedication and commitment. “The players have spent nearly two months in Goa undergoing rigorous training,” he said.
India’s 23-member squad was finalised after a thorough scouting effort that was shortlisted and narrowed down from a pool of 86 players through various trials beginning in July.
Bibiano explained, “We cast the net as wide as possible to ensure depth and provide opportunities. The past two months have been about gelling as a unit. We’ve used this time not only to prepare for SAFF but also to gear up for the AFC U-17 Asian Cup Qualifiers that lie ahead.”
Bibiano highlighted that the boys stayed focused and grounded. “The boys gave their best. They worked really hard during the last two months. Their resilience, discipline, fighting spirit throughout was remarkable.”
He was pleased with the manner in which his side played, highlighting that they overcame Nepal in the last four, especially in the second half. Nepal pushed us hard, and it was a real test for the boys.
“What impressed me most was the way they kept their composure in difficult moments and found a way to get the result. That shows the character of this team,” said Fernandes.
Bangladesh overcame Pakistan 2-0 in their semi-final, beat both Nepal and Sri Lanka 4-0 in the group stage and did not concede a goal until the final. Bangladesh had eight players from last year’s U-17 squad that finished runners-up to India in the SAFF final in Bhutan, while the Blue Colts had only one – Azlaan Shah Kh.
For the other 22 Indians, this was their maiden international tournament. Bibiano stressed the need for India to respect their opponents while trusting in their own philosophy and this was the attitude that favoured India, commented Bibiano.
“Bangladesh came into the final with more experience. They are a well-balanced side and we respected their quality. We stuck to our identity and trusted the work we have been doing throughout the tournament,” said the India head coach.
The team will now fly to China on October 6, for a short preparatory tour. They will play two friendlies against China U-17 on October 8 and 10. That’s part of their preparation for SAFF U-17 men’s championship for AFC U-17 Asian Cup qualifiers.
India will host Group D in Ahmedabad. They are drawn with Iran, Palestine, Chinese Taipei and Lebanon. India will play Palestine on November 22, Chinese Taipei on November 26, Lebanon on November 28 and Iran on November 30.
The group winners will qualify for the AFC U-17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026, from May 7 to 24.
