SAFF U-20 Championship 2022 review: India retain title

Gurkirat Singh became the first player to score a hat-trick in a final of the U-20 event.

India defeated Bangladesh 5-2 to win the SAFF U-20 Championship 2022 in thrilling fashion. The youngsters didn’t have it easy at all in their first major tournament since Covid-19.

However, Shanmugam Venkatesh’s boys dug deep to retain the championship on home turf. They scored a lot of goals – 19 to be exact, went through some dramatic moments and emerged victorious. The tournament proved to be a solid warmer for the upcoming AFC U-20 Championship 2023 qualifiers that start in September.

The poor start

India’s SAFF U-20 Championship campaign began in dismal fashion. Playing their first game in a long time, the young players looked rusty and nervous. They conceded some poor goals and suffered a shocking 2-1 loss to Bangladesh.

However, Venkatesh’s side bounced back strongly after that. The Blue Colts defeated Sri Lanka 4-0, despite being sloppy in the first half. With this win, they picked up their first points in the competition.

The recovery

The Blue Colts then faced Nepal, one of the favourites in the tournament. However, the players played on an entirely different level and brushed aside the Nepali team. They won by a margin of 8-0, with six different players on the scoresheet.

In their final group game against Maldives, the stakes were high for India. They needed to win the match to book a place in the final against Bangladesh. With Maldives defending strongly, it was getting frustrating for the Indians. However, Gurkirat Singh came up with a phenomenal 89th-minute winner to take India to the finals.

India faced familiar foes Bangladesh in the final. It was a tightly contested affair that went back and forth throughout. Neither team were separated in regular time and the spoils were shared at 2-2. The Blue Colts won the match 5-2 after scoring thrice in extra time, outclassing the Bangladeshi players.

Positives

Strong character

The Indian players did not have it as easy as they might have expected in the SAFF U-20 Championship. Despite being favorites to win the title, they faced a lot of challenges. Losing the first game itself was a reality check for the Blue Colts. This was a clear indication that things will not be smooth.

But the players refused to let the criticism or doubt creep into their minds. They worked hard to improve their performances and never looked back. Defeating Sri Lanka and Nepal by big margins after the initial loss proved that this group of youngsters have a strong character and a ‘never give up’ mentality.

The final two games of their SAFF U-20 Championship further proved their impressive mentality. They didn’t give up in the Maldives game, scoring at the very end to book a place in the final. They exacted revenge against Bangladesh in the grand finale. The youngsters won in extra-time and showcased impressive energy even in the final minutes.

One thing is for certain that this group of players aren’t one to curb into a shell when things go sideways. They do not fear adversity and have the toughness to rise up when things get bad.

Talented attacking core

This SAFF U-20 Championship also highlighted that India has promising attacking players coming through the ranks. The attacking core looks impressive as well unlike the past, when it seemed like goalkeepers and defenders came up in abundance.

Gurkirat Singh proved why Mumbai City signed him up with some amazing performances, totally outclassing opponents. Gurkirat was the highest scorer in the tournament, getting his name on the scoresheet eight times. Moreover, he scored four times in the final itself. The likes of Parthib Gogoi, Himanshu Jangra and Taison Singh all had memorable outings.

The chemistry and technical ability of these players made them a joy to watch. Along with physical traits, they also know how to dribble past opponents and have the final product to back things up. If these young attackers can continue their development and keep getting better, India’s future looks bright.

Negatives

Vulnerable defence

Despite keeping three clean sheets in five outings, India’s backline didn’t look the most secure against intense pressure. In the first game against Bangladesh, they were in complete disarray. The visitors dominated them in several phases of the game. Bangladesh were also gifted a goal because of miscommunication at the back and an unnecessary penalty was also conceded.

There seemed to be some communication issues between the defenders and the goalkeeper as well. Some poor individual mistakes also caused problems for India throughout the competition. While the defenders should improve with more playing time, it’s safe to say that the Blue Colts won the competition because of their attacking talent.

Top Performers

Gurkirat Singh

India’s star of the tournament was their number 9 - Gurkirat Singh. The Mumbai City star proved why he is so highly regarded with some incredible performances. He scored eight goals for the Blue Colts in five appearances, including four in the final itself! He scored some world class goals, becoming the first player in history to score a hat-trick in a SAFF U-20/U-18 final.

Singh also scored the winner against Maldives and was prolific in helping India lift the trophy. His movement, link-up play and brilliant finishing ability helped him stand out from the rest. He was also awarded the Most Valuable Player of the tournament.

Parthib Sundar Gogoi

India’s No.10 Parthib Gogoi was a joy to watch throughout the SAFF U-20 Championship. His brilliant dribbling runs, creativity and deft finishing helped him torment defenders. He scored four goals in the competition, and was among the top scorers as well. Gogoi’s impressive goal-scoring ability, tendency to be in the right spaces and thrilling movement helped him enjoy a successful campaign.

Himanshu Jangra

Himanshu Jangra was an electric figure for India in attack, with his exhilarating style keeping the opposition on its toes. The Minerva Punjab Academy graduate used his physique to bully defenders. He also possesses pace and technique to go past defenders. Jangra’s clever work in the final third and efficient final product helped him lead the attack from the front.

The 18-year-old scored three goals, and helped set up a number of others with brilliant final passes. He’s on the upwards trajectory in his career and looks set to be an India regular for years to come.

Coach’s Report Card

Shanmugam Venkatesh didn't have a lot of time to train the boys for this tournament. However, he did a pretty good job to raise their match fitness levels and help them thrive under the pressure of hosting the SAFF U-20 Championship.

The Indian gaffer employed an encouraging and exciting attacking system that gave the players a lot of freedom. He encouraged them to keep the ball grounded and deployed a style with quick, incisive passing and swift movement. This was also implemented in and around the opponent's box. India used it well to produce some attractive football in the games, scoring a lot of goals and stitching together some brilliant moves.

While there are things still to be worked upon - especially in solidifying the backline, Venkatesh did well to get the best out of his youngsters and guide them to the trophy.

Lessons to be learnt

India might have won the SAFF U-20 Championship in compelling fashion, but the challenge has only started. The biggest lesson for the entire team is to work on their defensive structure. India got sliced opened too easily at times, repeating which in the AFC U-20 Championship qualifiers would be a disaster.

That includes knowing how to defend better against crosses and restricting the opponents’ time on the ball. Another aspect that India must learn is not to be complacent in games going forward, irrespective of the quality of the opposition. That almost cost them the SAFF U-20 Championship!

Venkatesh’s side will face their real test in the qualifying games next month. They will have to train hard to take their playing level to a whole new level or risk embarrassment in those games.