Bibiano Fernandes open up on India's qualification for AFC U17 Asian Cup, future plans & more

Under Bibiano Fernandes’ coaching, the India U17 team performed well in the AFC U17 Asian Cup Qualifiers.

Bibiano Fernandes is a proud and delighted person after guiding the India U17 team to the 2026 AFC U17 Asian Cup in thrilling fashion.

The Blue Colts defeated Iran U17 in a pivotal final game to book their place in the group stages of the U17 Asian Cup, marking a proud moment for the young Indian players.

On feeling about India’s performances in U17 Asian Cup Qualifiers

Bibiano Fernandes is ecstatic with how his players fought their way to win their group and move on to the U17 Asian Cup, as he stated in a media interaction:

“When we got to know the group, we knew that it wouldn’t be easy for us to beat the mighty Iran and also Lebanon. We followed Lebanon and saw that they did well in CAFA and drew against Saudi Arabia in the CAFA competition. We knew it wouldn’t have been easy for us against any of the teams.

“In the first game, we could’ve had three points if we took our chances. We won our second game, and then in the third game, as Iran played before us, we knew that regardless of whatever happened against Lebanon that we had to win against Iran. We started preparing for the Iran match before the Lebanon match happened, and we started giving rest to key players.

It also helped us to give time to other players, like Mukund, who came on against Lebanon. We knew we couldn’t do silly things, but in the heat of the moment, we picked up a red card. We weren’t happy, but we came into the Iran game to try and get the team as fresh as possible – that was our only aim before the Iran match.

“The boys worked really hard and it was difficult as Iran needed a draw, while we needed a win, and they were the best in the qualifiers. They played their best game and they needed a draw, so it was difficult going forward. After we conceded in the 20th minute, it became even more difficult.

I knew it would be difficult, but the boys tried and what I told them before the match was that we needed to defend well – if we defended well we would create chances and we needed to take them. The boys were aware that we needed to convert the few chances we got, and we got the equalizer and then the boys were brilliant to get the win,” he also added.

Fernandes’ philosophy as a coach

When asked to divulge something about his philosophy as a head coach, Fernandes explained: “This is one of the things I want to talk about. I always talk to coaches about this, and in my coaching career, there are two people who changed my thinking about football. They have changed the way I think about football and the way I’ve started coaching in football.

These two people include one of them from Goa, who was there in our license coaching programs, and I finished my Pro License with him too. He’s Taitano Pino, and I call him the Google of Football. We are always talking about football, and after matches he tells me about what went wrong and how I can improve.

“The second one whom I’ve always followed after coming to coaching, is Raymond Verheijen. These two people have changed my thinking of football, where I keep it as simple as possible to the players. What I do in training is replicate what happens in games.

In football, what we do is to attack, defend and then transition – how quickly you can transition into attack and defence. That is exactly what we do in training, and the boys know what they must do when they have the ball and what they must do when the opponent have the ball,” he further quipped.

India U17 team’s plan before U17 Asian Cup

Fernandes also hinted that he’s hoping for India U17 to play in some friendly matches against prominent opponents before the U17 Asian Cup, revealing:

“I’m in touch with my staff and my analyst, and we are preparing a plan for our preparations. We’ll discuss the plan with the AIFF, and we want to start scouting for players again. In the next two months, we need 20-22 boys to separate as compared to the players who recently represented in the qualifiers.

“We then want a camp fusing with both the batches and build a strong squad, and play strong friendly matches. Imagine we need to play four friendlies, and we need to play friendlies that feel like AFC U17 Asian Cup qualifiers – so we need to play high-profile and intense matches and at a level where Australia is playing and a level where Japan, South Korea are playing. That is how we can prepare and have a chance of qualifying for the U17 FIFA World Cup,” he also stated.

India U17 under less pressure against top teams?

When asked if his current India U17 squad faces less mental pressure in performing against higher-ranked teams after the win over Iran, the gaffer replied: “I think there is no doubt about the talent in India, and every batch of U17 has shown that, which includes this time also. When I look at them sometimes, I feel they are too relaxed, and I don’t want to keep them tense in the dressing room or on a match day.

“I love the way they move around, they’re more relaxed and not so tensed about the games – and then I see their performances and that they play. It’s okay if they’re enjoying themselves and less tense about games and can still go on to perform strongly, I’m happy about that,” he also added.

India U17 squad’s quality and Fernandes’ challenge in limited training time

On being asked about where this current India U17 batch of players ranks among some of the former India U17 squads he’s coached, Fernandes claimed:

“All batches are almost the same, every batch have a mix of talented players and average players. This batch is also the same; we have very talented players like Guleba Wangkheirakpam, Dallalmuon Gangte, and Shubham Poonia, among others. Then there are also average, fighter players who have supported the teams from the last batch. I don’t see any difference from any of the batches, but the only difference is how this batch fought hard to qualify for the AFC U17 Asian Cup.”

Finally, Fernandes opened up about how he manages to try and get the best out of the India U17 players in the limited training time, stating:

“In training, I demand the players give me 100%. I never negotiate on that part. If a boy is making a mistake in training or even in matches, but that mistake comes from trying to help the team, that is okay for me. But if the mistake comes from laziness or a bad attitude, that is a problem for me. I’m really focusing on ensuring that their attitude is right in training sessions and then in matches. I want to ensure they never act lazily or take it for granted.

“I want them to work hard on the pitch every day, because if you work hard on the pitch, then you can see the performances in the game. I don’t see any stars in my team; I treat everyone equally. Whoever he may be, he has to give 100% in my training session. If they can give 100% in the training session, he can give 100% in the matches. He should be happy and satisfied, regardless of the result, as long as they’re giving 100% and happy about the performance,” he finished with.

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.