We'll try to perform better in the second game, asserts Bibiano Fernandes

The India U-17 head coach believes that the Vietnam game was an evenly poised one.

The Blue Colts began their AFC U-17 Asian Cup campaign with a hard-fought tie against Vietnam on Saturday evening. Vietnam opened the scoring late in the first half and looked more dominant all throughout the game, but Bibiano Fernandes’ boys were no less either.

Despite being a goal down, the boys kept on pushing forward and were eventually rewarded for their efforts when Malemngamba Singh scored the equaliser past the Vietnamese keeper. It was a good result for the Blue Colts considering the other result in their group where Japan and Uzbekistan shared the spoils (with a similar scoreline).

After the game, head coach Bibiano Fernandes addressed the media and shared his thoughts.

Thoughts on the game

The head coach began by sharing his thoughts on the game. He said that his boys couldn’t capitalise on their chances in the first half and it was an evenly poised game. He also appreciated Vietnam for defending and attacking well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXk2Gq107AA

“The game in the first half was good where we had most of the ball but couldn’t penetrate through the backline (Vietnam's). Vietnam defended well in the first half. I think it was a 50-50 game where Vietnam also did well, defended well and created chances. We also created some chances. The game could have gone either way, but 1-1 is not a bad result. On to the next one, “ he asserted.

Also Read:

• AFC U-17 Asian Cup 2023: India fight back to share spoils with Vietnam
• Ratings: Malemngamba saves India’s day in AFC U-17 Asian Cup 2023 opener against Vietnam

When asked if he was disappointed with his team’s performance, Bibiano quickly replied that he was happy and not disappointed with the outing and that the team will get better in the next game.

“I’m not disappointed. I'm happy with the boys and it was the first game. Competitive matches are different and I know they will be better in the second game and it will be a better one,” he averred. 

Thoughts on the game between Japan and Uzbekistan

In the Group D game, defending champions Japan were held to a 1-1 draw by India’s upcoming opponents Uzbekistan. Sharing his thoughts on that game, Bibiano Fernandes said that the result will benefit all the teams.

“It was a 1-1 draw on the other side. It’s a good result for all the four teams. We have to go back and think about it. Uzbekistan are a good side and we have played them. They always have good teams. We have to look at their game against Japan and come up with a plan,” he stated.

Learnings from the game

The head coach concluded by sharing the learnings that his boys can take from this game. He said, “Of course, learning is always there. We will look at the game again and try to improve. We will try to perform better in the second game than we did in this one. I am sure the boys will be more confident and relaxed in the second game and will be able to display their talent and try to win the game."