(source : ANI) ( Photo Credit : ani)
India’s young football stars celebrated a historic win in Colombo, lifting the SAFF U17 Championship trophy for a record seventh time. The rain had just stopped at the Racecourse International Stadium, but the excitement poured on as the Indian flag waved high.
At the heart of the victory stood coach Bibiano Fernandes, the calm Goan tactician who guided the team to glory. This marked his fifth SAFF title overall, including a second U17 crown in Sri Lanka. Fernandes has built an impressive legacy in Indian youth football, with past successes like the SAFF U15 wins in Kathmandu in 2017 and Kalyani in 2019, the U17 title here in 2022, and the recent U19 championship in Arunachal Pradesh.
For Fernandes, the trophies tell only part of the story. “Winning is always special, but it’s less about the numbers and more about the process,” he said in a team release. “Each title shows the hard work, discipline, and belief from the players and staff. My fifth one isn’t the end—it’s just a sign we’re heading in the right direction. We can’t get complacent.”
What sets Fernandes apart is his no-nonsense approach to training. He skips drills that feel like practice and dives straight into the chaos of real matches. “I only run sessions that prepare players for game day,” he explained. “The goal is instinctive actions that deliver results.”
Yet, Fernandes creates room for growth amid the intensity. He encourages “positive risk-taking,” where mistakes become lessons if they stem from bold efforts. “I let players make errors as long as they’re trying to follow the team’s plan,” he said. “That’s how they learn and shine.” Many of his former players, now starring for India’s senior and U-23 teams, credit this mindset for building their confidence in Indian football.
Leading these teens far from home takes balance. Fernandes offers a supportive arm when needed and pushes hard to raise standards. This mix of empathy and toughness has won him deep loyalty from his squads.
Even after so many wins, motivation never fades for him. “The game itself fires me up, along with my duty to the players and Indian football,” Fernandes shared. “I dream of our teams competing fearlessly on the world stage. As long as there’s progress to make, I’ll keep pushing.” He also gives credit to his family, whose quiet sacrifices fuel his journey in coaching Indian youth teams.
As the stadium lights gleamed on the trophy, Fernandes saw this as just another step. India’s seventh SAFF U17 win adds to the nation’s football story, but the real goal—global success—lies ahead. With coaches like Fernandes shaping brave young talents, that dream feels closer every day.
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