AFC U-17 Asian Cup 2023: Looking back at India U-17's Germany tour

The Blue Cubs played four friendly games in Germany.

The India U-17 contingent are set to commence their 2023 AFC U-17 Asian Cup campaign from the 17th of June. India have been drawn into a demanding group, consisting of teams like Japan, Vietnam and Uzbekistan, who will pose as a tough roadblock in the Blue Cubs’ journey to the knockouts. 

But coming off a strong preparatory phase prior to the competition, India will be confident of making headway in the Asian Cup. 

The Blue Colts were presented with the opportunity to travel to footballing powerhouses like Spain and Germany, where they got access to the facilities of some of Europe’s biggest clubs, and also got the opportunity to hone their skills with the academy teams of the some of the best clubs in the world.

With that said, let us take a closer look into the Indian U-17s Germany tour.

Destination Deutschland

The Indian U-17 squad arrived at Germany on the 16th of May, to bring a start to their 15-day stay in the country. The Indian U-17 squad trained at the academies of Bundesliga outfits Augsburg and Stuttgart, and got access to the world-class facilities at the clubs. 

The team also visited the German Football Association’s (DFB) new training facility, used by the German men’s national team ahead of international fixtures.

Besides attending a tailored training programme to support the young players in their tactical and physical development, the group also took part in specialized classroom sessions on topics such as sports psychology, nutrition, and recovery.

All of this were co-ordinated by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and the DFB to develop the young talent of India, by exposing them to world-class resources and facilities.

VFB Stuttgart Juniors 3-1 India U-17

India played their first preparatory game in Germany, against an U-16/19 mixed side of VFB Stuttgart. The Blue Colts played some decent early exchanges and made promising moves. But it was the hosts, who opened the scoring in the 22nd minute.

India’s problems grew, as Stuttgart nicked another one from a spot kick in the 34th minute.

The second half saw a similar fate bestow upon Bibiano’s men, as they conceded two more penalties, one of which was saved excellently by Sahil, whilst the other was converted to make the score 3-0.

India pulled one back in the 80th minute from a penalty kick, but it proved to be only a consolation goal, as the Blue Colts tasted defeat in their first fixture on German soil.

SSV Reutlingen U-16 1-6 India U-17

In what was India U-17s second friendly fixture in Germany, coach Bibiano Fernandes fielded a younger ‘B’ team for the fixture, as they faced SSV Reutlingen U-16. 

The Blue Colts exerted their dominance right from the first whistle, opening the scoring in the 24th minute via Rohen Singh. However, Reutlingen equalised just minutes later, to make the scoreline 1-1.

Parity didn’t last for long, as India got into the lead just three minutes later.

In the second half, Bibiano’s men displayed utter dominance from the very start, and scored four goals past the German outfit. The game finished with a final scoreline of 6-1, with the Indian U17 showcasing their prowess to the maximum.

FC Augsburg U-17 1-3 India U-17

India faced Bundesliga outfit FC Augsburg in their third game in Germany. The Blue Colts took charge right from the first whistle, and scored inside the opening 15 minutes, as Laishram Danny Meitei converted a brilliant cross.

However, the hosts also got into gear with time and levelled the scores through a spot kick at the half hour mark.

But the second half saw India dominate the game with waves and waves of attack, that helped break Augsburg’s rigid defense, and see India score twice. The Blue Cubs completed an impressive 3-1 win against Augsburg and made it two wins in Germany.

TSV Schwaben Augsburg U-17/U-18 0-4 India U-17

India played their final game in Germany against TSV Schwaben Augsburg, at the Paul Renz Akademie in Augsburg. 

The Blues put up a comprehensive display right from the start and scored thrice in the first half. 

Augsburg shifted gears in the second half, and came out with great impetus. But India’s defense was equally up to the task and ensured that a clean sheet remains firm. 

India struck a fourth goal just 10 minutes after the restart, to bring an incredible end to their preparatory camp in Germany.

The Blue Cubs will begin their AFC U17 Asian Cup journey against Vietnam on the 17th of June.