Bibiano Fernandes: We'll take it one game at a time

The India U-17 head coach also spoke on the atmosphere inside the camp.

Bibiano Fernandes' Indian U-17 team is all set to play their AFC U-17 Asian Cup opener against Vietnam on Saturday and will be keen to start off their journey in style. The Blue Colts have had a great exposure tour in Europe where they faced off against some top-notch opponents.

Come Saturday it will be a big test for Bibiano Fernandes and his boys as Vietnam possess a huge threat and will be keen to take revenge for their 2018 AFC U-17 Asian Cup exit where India showed them the way out.

Ahead of the opening game, head coach Bibiano Fernandes interacted with the Indian Media and shared his thoughts.

Thoughts on Vietnam

The head coach began by sharing his thoughts on India’s first opponents Vietnam. He said that they are a very good side and it will be an interesting match tomorrow.

“We played Vietnam in 2018 and they had a very good team. No doubt they always have very good and competitive teams. India has also qualified for the AFC Asian Cup and is doing really, really well now.

“Since the grassroots programmes started, more and more talented youth players are showing up and this time also we have a very good team. It will be a really interesting match tomorrow,” he asserted.

Prior experience

Bibiano Fernandes was asked if his hopes of India making it to the semis were based on prior experience or the fact that there’s a marginal difference between all the teams. He replied, “It is because of the experience that we have got from the 2018 batch where we reached the quarter-finals. It is also because we played some of the best club teams in the world and the good results and the performance.

“We trained the boys both mentally and physically to get better. All the scenarios that we came across in Spain and Germany plus our past experiences in the last two qualifiers have helped us to improve. And that gives me hope and believe that these boys are ready for the competition,” Fernandes added.

Importance of the tournament

How important is the AFC U-17 Asian Cup 2023 to Bibiano Fernandes? He answered, “I believe that developing and improving players is also key, but for me the most important thing is to win. If you want to develop world class players, you have to play the U-17 and U-20 World Cups. So, winning (the Asian Cup) and qualifying for the World Cup are both important.

“We cannot develop players if we do not play World Cups. Development is on our mind but we also have to focus on winning with these boys,” he added.

Manipuri players

Manipur is going through a crisis right now and the team consists of many Manipuri players. When asked how the team is making sure that these boys are doing well mentally when the situation is not so good back home, Bibiano said that the team are doing everything that they can to make sure that the players are comfortable and focused.

“We have been in constant touch with the players. We are talking regularly to the boys and asking them about their families back home. All we can do is show love from our side. They have been together for more than a year. What is at stake is also important but it is also important for us to make sure they feel comfortable and focused for the tournament,” he replied.

Other teams in the group

India are grouped alongside defending champions Japan, Vietnam and Uzbekistan in Group D. Bibiano Fernandes shared his thoughts on the other nations in India’s group and was in praise for all of them.

“Japan, we know are the defending champions. We all know Japan and how good they are and we are aware of that. And of course, Uzbekistan is really doing well in youth and this time also they have got a very good side. We played Uzbekistan in Goa in February but it has been a long time and they already have made four changes in their first XI and they are a good side as well.

He further mentioned that the team has been following the other opponents for quite some time now and the main objective is to win against everyone.

“We have been following them and watching their games and we know them and their level. Accordingly, we will plan every match, whether it is Vietnam or Uzbekistan or Japan. Our objective will be to win, of course, and get the maximum out of the games. We will take it one match at a time.”

Mood in the camp

Before signing off the head coach told the media about the mood in the camp ahead of the tournament. He said that the boys know why they are here and are highly motivated to do well.

“The boys are really focused and know the objective of being here. They are more motivated and looking forward to it (the competition). You can see it in their eyes and in the way they talk. For them, it is important because it is the only chance through which they can qualify for the World Cup. So, they are motivated,” he signed off.