Can India Secure the Top Spot Against Nepal in the SAFF U19 Championship?

Yupia (Arunachal Pradesh), May 12 (NationPress) After securing their place in the semifinals of the SAFF U19 Championship, India is looking to clinch the top position in Group B when they confront Nepal at the Golden Jubilee Stadium this Tuesday.

India commenced the tournament with an impressive 8-0 victory against Sri Lanka last Friday, marking the first match under head coach Bibiano Fernandes' leadership since his return to the national youth team. On Sunday, Nepal also dominated Sri Lanka, winning 5-0, which eliminated them from the tournament while ensuring semifinal spots for both India and Nepal.

“Both teams had significant wins in their opening matches. However, we don’t put too much stock in the scorelines. Each match presents unique challenges, and Nepal has demonstrated their strength and competitiveness. They were formidable against Sri Lanka and created multiple scoring opportunities.

“We’ve evaluated their gameplay and recognize their organization. Our focus is on maintaining our strengths, staying concentrated, and giving our utmost during the match. At this level, every team is challenging, and it ultimately comes down to desire,” stated Fernandes.

The 48-year-old expressed satisfaction with the team's performance in the initial match, particularly their ball dominance and the chances generated by the Blue Colts. This victory matched India's highest margin in a SAFF men's age-group tournament, previously achieved by the U20s against Nepal in 2022 and the U17s against Maldives in 2023.

Fernandes reiterated the necessity of staying humble and avoiding complacency following a substantial win.

“Remaining grounded is crucial, especially after a victory of that magnitude. These young players must learn the importance of humility and discipline. The real challenge lies in sustaining the same intensity and eagerness against tougher opponents. Our message is clear — one game at a time, no complacency, and always respect your adversary. That’s how we develop as a team,” he remarked.

Thanks to their significant goal difference, the Blue Colts only need a draw to finish atop the group. India also enjoys a rest advantage, with 48 hours more preparation time than Nepal.

“We’ve had three productive days to recover and prepare for the matchup against Nepal. The players have responded positively in training – we’re honing a few tactical elements while emphasizing recovery. We’re also analyzing Nepal’s strengths and identifying opportunities to score. It’s all about aligning our mindset and ensuring we approach the match with intensity and ambition,” said Fernandes.

The Nepal squad comprises a blend of U20 and U17 players from last year. They were runners-up in the SAFF U20 Championship and reached the semifinals in the SAFF U17 Championship, having lost 2-4 to India.

Led by Urjan Shrestha, who managed the U20 team last year, Nepal achieved their second-largest victory in a SAFF men's age-group tournament, primarily due to a strong second-half performance against Sri Lanka. Shrestha's squad now prepares for a significantly tougher challenge against the hosts, India.

“It was challenging to penetrate Sri Lanka’s defense in the first half, as they had all 10 players behind the ball. However, we eventually succeeded, and we’re pleased with that,” Shrestha commented.

“We observed the India match. There’s a noticeable disparity. Although we’re already in the semifinals, we anticipate a tough contest against India. We aim to rectify our mistakes from the first game and hope to continue our journey here,” the Nepal coach concluded.