India U17 Team Gears Up for SAFF U17 Championship 2025 Opener Against Maldives
The India U17 men’s football team kicks off their SAFF U17 Championship 2025 journey today against the Maldives in Colombo, Sri Lanka. This exciting Group B clash happens at the Racecourse International Stadium, as announced on the All India Football Federation (AIFF) website.
All seven SAFF nations join the action this year. Group A features hosts Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bangladesh. In Group B, India’s Blue Colts face off against Maldives, Bhutan, and Pakistan. The top two teams from each group move to the semi-finals on September 25, with the grand final set for September 27.
India enters as defending champions, having clinched the SAFF U17 title last year in Bhutan with a solid 2-0 win over Bangladesh in the final. Now, head coach Bibiano Fernandes aims for his fifth SAFF trophy overall—his fourth just this May, when he guided India to the SAFF U19 victory in Arunachal Pradesh. He also led the U17 side to the 2022 SAFF U17 Championship win right here in Sri Lanka.
Fernandes now guides this talented U17 squad, made up of players born in 2009 or later. He praised their hard work during preparations. "The players trained rigorously for nearly two months in Goa. We’re thrilled to be in Sri Lanka and grateful for the hosts’ warm welcome," he shared on the AIFF site.
The 23-member India U17 squad came together after scouts sifted through 86 players in trials starting July. Fernandes explained their approach: "We scouted widely to build depth and give chances to many. The last two months focused on team bonding. We’re prepping not just for SAFF U17 but also the upcoming AFC U17 Asian Cup Qualifiers."
Despite the buzz of defending their crown, Fernandes keeps things grounded. "Let’s focus on the now, not the past. Our eyes are on the Maldives match first. We’ll give it our all and tackle each game step by step," he said.
Captain Wangkhem Denny Singh, a key midfielder, backs his coach’s vibe. "We put in the effort over two months in Goa, and we’re ready to shine here," the skipper added.
India’s first opponents, the Maldives, landed in Sri Lanka after a two-week training camp. Their head coach, Sabah Mohamed Ibrahim, admits the tough road ahead. "Our players are technically solid, but we miss international games and exposure," he noted.
On facing India, Ibrahim was straightforward: "India tops this group—they win big and have the best setup. We’ll switch up our strategy against them compared to Pakistan or Bhutan. For us, India sets the standard."
India’s group stage continues with Bhutan on September 19 and Pakistan on September 22. While the SAFF U17 Championship takes center stage, Fernandes eyes the AFC U17 Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers in November, set for Ahmedabad. Football fans, get ready for some thrilling action from the Blue Colts!
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