India’s U17 men’s football team is eyeing a spot in the SAFF U17 Championship final as they gear up for a tough semifinal clash against Nepal. The match kicks off Thursday at the Racecourse International Stadium in Colombo.
The Blue Colts have stormed through the group stage unbeaten, topping Group B with a perfect nine points from three wins. They crushed Maldives 6-0, edged out Bhutan 1-0, and came from behind to beat Pakistan 3-2 in a thrilling finale.
Head coach Bibiano Fernandes praised his players for their grit in that Pakistan game. “Beating Pakistan was a huge boost, and I’m thrilled with how the team managed the pressure in such a key match,” he told the-aiff.com. “The boys showed real character and discipline, which builds our confidence for the semifinals.”
Nepal earned their semifinal berth by finishing second in Group A. They notched a 2-0 win over hosts Sri Lanka but fell 0-4 to Bangladesh in their other outing.
Fernandes isn’t underestimating the challenge from Nepal. “They’re a strong side with some talented individual players,” he said. “We expect a fierce battle, so we’re focusing on solid preparation, staying organized, and playing to our strengths.”
This knockout phase ramps up the stakes for India’s U17 squad, and Fernandes urged his team to keep their cool. “The players get how crucial this stage is,” he added. “It’s all about staying calm, teaming up hard, and leaving it all on the field. We aim to keep the momentum going and push closer to our goal.”
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