Ahmedabad, Nov 25 (NationPress) The India U17 men’s team is eager to clinch their inaugural victory in the AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026 Qualifiers when they face off against Chinese Taipei on Wednesday at the EKA Arena in Ahmedabad.

The Blue Colts kicked off their journey with a 1-1 tie against Palestine on Saturday. India dominated large portions of the match but failed to translate their pressure into a win. A first-half header by Shubham Poonia gave India an early lead, but a late equalizer meant both teams left the field with a point.

In anticipation of the upcoming match, head coach Bibiano Fernandes stated that the players are feeling rejuvenated and are wholly concentrating on the next challenge. “These players are still learning, and I always tell them to play not only with confidence but also with responsibility. A draw doesn’t change our ambition. We want them to take the right risks, express themselves, and stay composed in difficult moments. The important thing is to grow from each match,” he explained.

India enjoyed a three-day rest ahead of this game, having been the only team not to participate in the second matchday on Monday. Chinese Taipei faced a heavy 0-5 defeat against IR Iran while Palestine and Lebanon played to a 1-1 draw.

“Yes, having a longer gap definitely helps,” Bibiano said. “It gave us time to recover well, fix small details, and prepare with more clarity. The boys look fresh, and that allows us to demand a higher intensity. However, selection will still depend on who fits the plan and performs well in training.”

Chinese Taipei comes into this match after their significant loss to IR Iran and will be keen to bounce back. Wang Po-min's team had previously secured a point in their opening 0-0 draw against Lebanon and demonstrated defensive discipline at times, managing not to concede any goals in their first 135 minutes of the Qualifiers.

Group D remains highly competitive after two matchdays, with IR Iran sitting at the top with a victory, while Palestine and Lebanon each have two points. Both India and Chinese Taipei have one point each. As only the group winners qualify for the AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026, this upcoming match is crucial for both teams.

“We’ve worked on small details in how we move the ball and position ourselves between the lines. Just enough to give the players clarity, so they can find solutions on the pitch. The main idea remains the same: stay patient, stay sharp,” Fernandes concluded.