India’s U-17 football team is gearing up for a big clash against Bhutan in their second Group B match of the SAFF U17 Championship 2025. The game kicks off on Friday at the Racecourse International Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka, as confirmed by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) website.
Coming off a thrilling 6-0 thrashing of Maldives in their opener, the defending champions are full of energy and ready to lock down the top spot in the group. That win put them one step closer to the semi-finals, and fans are buzzing about their chances.
What made the Maldives match so special? Five different players lit up the scoreboard, and the defense kept a clean sheet to shut out any threats. Young star Dallalmuon Gangte stole the show with a brilliant brace, while Hrishikesh Charan Manavathi, Kamgouhao Doungel, Wangkheirakpam Gunleiba, and Aazim Parveez Najar all chipped in with sharp goals. The backline stayed rock-solid, showing smart teamwork and cool heads from start to finish.
Head coach Bibiano Fernandes isn’t getting carried away, though. After the big win, he told the AIFF website, “I’m happy with the result, but Maldives did create a few chances on attack. We need to fix those defensive slips.” He added that tougher opponents lie ahead, so the team is already back in training to sharpen up.
Bhutan, on the other hand, is hungry for redemption after a 0-4 defeat to Pakistan in their first game. But don’t count them out—coach Fernandes had a warning for his squad. “Bhutan played really well against Pakistan, even in defeat,” he said. “They’ve got talented players, an exciting style of football, and they’re deadly on the counter-attack. Our defenders, who barely got tested last time, will need to stay sharp against their quick breaks.”
In Group B, India leads the pack, with Pakistan in second and Maldives at the bottom. The top two teams from each group advance to the semi-finals on September 25. Group A features hosts Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bangladesh.
Fernandes kept things in perspective, saying, “We’ve only played one match, and bigger challenges are coming. It’s key to stay humble, work hard, and step up our game against Bhutan.” With three points on the line, India aims to build momentum and cruise toward the knockout rounds. Football fans, this one’s not to miss!
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