India face Chinese Taipei in crucial Group D clash of AFC U17 Asian Cup Qualifiers
On Nov 25, the India U17 men’s squad is ready to claim their first win in the AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026 qualifiers when they take on Chinese Taipei at the EKA Arena in Ahmedabad.
The campaign began with a 1–1 draw against Palestine, a game in which India dominated much of the action but failed to turn pressure into a win. Shubham Poonia headed the first goal in the first half, yet a late equaliser meant both sides split the points on opening day.
Heading into the second match, coach Bibiano Fernandes said the players had bounced back and are laser‑focused on the upcoming test. “These players are still learning, and I always tell them to play not only with confidence, but also with responsibility. A draw doesn’t change our ambition. We want them to take the right risks, express themselves, and stay composed in difficult moments. The important thing is to grow from each match,” he added.
India’s three‑day break proved valuable, as they were the only team spared the Monday clash that saw Chinese Taipei fall 0–5 to IR Iran, while Palestine and Lebanon settled for a 1–1 draw.
“Yes, having a longer gap definitely helps,” Bibiano explained. “It gave us time to recover well, fix small details, and prepare with more clarity. The boys look fresh, and that allows us to demand a higher intensity. But selection will still depend on who fits the plan and who is performing well in training.”
Chinese Taipei enters the game after a heavy loss to IR Iran the previous day and are eager to bounce back. Their side was also content with a 0–0 stalemate against Lebanon early on, and have shown solid defensive discipline, keeping clean sheets for the first 135 minutes of the qualifiers.
The standings for Group D are still very open after two rounds, with only IR Iran boasting a win. Palestine and Lebanon trail with two points each, while India and Chinese Taipei sit on one point apiece. With only the group leaders advancing to the final tournament, Wednesday’s fixture carries significant implications for both squads.
“We’ve worked on small details in how we move the ball and position ourselves between the lines. Just enough to give the players clarity so they can find solutions on the pitch. The main idea remains the same: stay patient, stay sharp,” Fernandes summed up.
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