There seems to be optimism in the air. For some time now there has been great expectation building up around the India U16 National team which has found its place in the AFC U-16 Championship to be held in September, at Malaysia.
For the record, India already has qualified for the Asian Championship 7 times in the past but this time it feels different. And here is why.
A short walk back in the memory lane takes me to the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017 that made our country stand up and take notice of the true potential that the young players in India have. The inaugural match was special not only because the Prime Minister of the country was there but also a crowd of 55,000 Indian football believers who rallied behind the team from the 1st to the 3rd match.
Squeezed in between was the first ever India’s FIFA World Cup goal headed in by Jeakson Singh against Colombia. For the critics, India had a back door entry being the host of the tournament and the team did not qualify on its own merit.
Back in the moment today, I firmly believe that while the euphoria around the FIFA U-17 World Cup set the momentum for our young colts, there is a massive second wave building up in terms of the India U-16 National team. And this wave is full of optimism and confidence.
The team is more prepared now having played consistent competitive matches in various parts of the world. It’s not only the All India Football Federation but also the government, which seems to be a lot more positive, is contributing to the preparations. Maybe it is the Col. Rajyavardhan Rathore effect but it is working.
The latest tournament that the team played in Serbia and won by beating the Jordanians and Tajiks and drawing with Serbia has raised my hopes immensely.
Let’s look at the group that India is placed in the Asian Championship 2019 – Vietnam, Iran and Indonesia clubbed in Group C.
Considering that Iran is the dark horse, India will have the opportunity to pick up points against Vietnam and Indonesia. A second place finish in the group will mean a likely opposition of Australia or South Korea from group D in the quarter final match.
Anything can happen in football and if India is destined to qualify for the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2019 to be held at Peru, then the youngsters will have to play a game of their lives.
While it seems hypothetical right now, at least there seems to be a plan in place. It’s about taking each match as it comes and making sure that the plan is executed to the T. And there is a bright young coach who seems to have got it all going for this team.
Bibiano Fernandes who has played for the country and has been instrumental in building the youth squads for the country has emerged as a complete coach and a manager who can not only train tactics but also be a life coach for these players who are in such an impressionable phase of their lives.
Bibiano had also served the Sesa Football Academy during his formative years as a coach and he had been a great asset for the academy. Another mind that has worked tirelessly to put the scouting piece in place is the ex-India National player and current Director of the National teams, Abhishek Yadav.
A point worth a mention is that unlike the U-17 team, this team has a Goan boy who can possibly inspire the next generation of Goan players to keep working for their place in the National team.
Sweet 16 indeed!
