India's U17 Football Team Shines with Dominant Victory Over Nepal

India's Impressive Performance in U17 Championship

Yupia (Arunachal Pradesh) [India] May 14: With two victories and a total of twelve goals scored without conceding any, Bibiano Fernandes and his team are relishing their experience in the Land of the Rising Sun.

The enthusiastic support from fans at the Golden Jubilee Stadium has made their journey even more memorable, as highlighted in a statement from the AIFF.

“The boys deserve all the credit for their performance after the initial match,” Fernandes remarked during the post-match press conference following their 4-0 triumph over Nepal on Tuesday. “They displayed the hunger and determination we aimed to see. It was a solid win and a commendable performance overall. We aim to remain grounded and focus on the semi-final,” he added.

“Nepal aimed to apply pressure, coming out aggressively. However, I was confident our boys would respond strongly, and they did just that. Once we scored, we were in control,” he noted.

On Wednesday, following their victory that secured India's top position in Group B and set up a semi-final match against the Maldives, the Blue Colts engaged in a morning training and recovery session at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Naharlagun, despite heavy rain. Although the team has been in Arunachal for two weeks with intermittent rain, this marked their first training session in such conditions, which turned out to be an enjoyable experience for all.

As India progresses through the tournament, just a couple of wins away from the trophy, Fernandes emphasized the importance of maintaining their approach in every match.

“What matters each time we step onto the field is our approach to the game. I’m pleased with the boys’ performance thus far. After a win, it’s easy for anyone to say it was straightforward, but we never adopt that mindset before a game. We treat every match with the same winning mentality,” the 48-year-old coach stated.

Striker Omang Dodum, who netted his second goal in consecutive games, echoed the coach’s sentiments. “We strictly adhere to our coach’s game plan. We don’t view any team as easy or tough. In international matches, every nation puts forth their best effort. Therefore, we will approach the Maldives match with the same mindset,” Dodum told reporters post-match.

Midfielder Danny Meitei Laishram remains the tournament's leading scorer, adding another goal to his tally after a hat-trick against Sri Lanka, bringing his total to four. Fernandes praised the team’s collective effort and acknowledged the squad's contributions.

“Danny scored well in the last match, but it’s a team effort. My concern is for the entire team. If Danny is scoring, it indicates that our team is performing well,” he remarked.

However, the standout player in the victory against Nepal was Chaphamayum Rohen Singh. The winger not only scored two goals, marking his first official goals for India (having previously scored in two friendly matches during India U17’s European tour in 2023), but he was also a dynamic presence on the right flank throughout the match, creating numerous opportunities.

Rohen expressed his excitement, stating, “I feel incredible to score two goals. Gaining confidence after my first goal motivated me to aim for more. These were my third and fourth international goals for the country.

“It’s fantastic to see so many fans here. I want to thank everyone in the stadium for their support, as well as the Arunachal Pradesh Football Association. Please continue to attend our upcoming matches. We will give our all in the semi-final. Our goal is to win this SAFF,” the Manipuri player concluded.