Myanmar a tougher prospect than Kuwait, says Bibiano Fernandes
AL KHOBAR, SAUDI ARABIA: The India U17 Men’s National Team will be on their guard as they prepare for their next test against Myanmar, who head coach Bibiano Fernandes believes is a tougher prospect than their previous opponents in the AFC U-17 Asian Cup 2023 Qualifiers.
India have begun their Group D campaign with back-to-back victories against Maldives (5-0) and Kuwait (3-0), and will now look to carry the momentum forward against Myanmar at the Prince Saud Bin Jalawi Sports City Stadium in Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia, on Friday, October 7, 2022. The match will kick off at 8.45 PM IST, and will be streamed live on the Indian Football Team Facebook page.
“We have seen Myanmar play their last two matches, and they were actually the better team in their game against Kuwait. It was just unfortunate that they lost by a small margin,” said Bibiano Fernandes on the eve of the India U17s’ game against Myanmar.
“We are well aware of their capabilities, and are preparing likewise. The most important thing is that the boys are 100 per cent motivated, and have the belief that they can go all the way,” said Fernandes.
India currently sit at the top of Group D with six points by virtue of their head-to-head record, and it is something that Fernandes puts down to the sheer hard work put in by the boys.
As per the head-to-head rules, when more than two teams are tied on the same number of points, the points earned in the matches played between the concerned teams are considered to decide the order in which they will be placed on the table. In this case, India, having beaten Kuwait, have gained a momentary advantage on the table, as hosts Saudi Arabia are yet to face either the Blue Colts or Kuwait.
“We have been working hard in every game. We have seen Kuwait playing, and the boys have really put in their shift, both in training, and during the game,” Fernandes stated. “By God’s grace, we saw the fruits of that hard work against Kuwait. Now we need to continue that in our last two matches as well.”
India’s match against Kuwait saw a number of fans supporting the Blue Colts from the stands, something that turned out to be a bit of a pleasant surprise for the entire team.
“I did not think that we would get such support from the stands in Saudi Arabia, but as it happens, we have supporters everywhere, and that’s really a big advantage,” smiled Fernandes. “We played a very good game in the first half, but our second half performance could have been better. However, the solid support from the block of supporters in the stands gave the boys a lot of impetus. I hope they keep coming back for our last two matches as well.”
Also Read : Mumbai City FC partners exclusively with DreamSetGo
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the latest happenings in the world of Indian football
I-League 2: MH Oranje FC flares an important 3-0 victory over Sporting Goa in an crucial encounter
Maharashtra Oranje FC returned to winning ways with a 3-0 win over Sporting Goa to lift themselves to 7th spot in the I-League 2 table In a high-stakes I-League 2…
Roundup: Chennaiyin FC win against KBFC as RFYC, Bengaluru FC play gripping draw in RFDL National Group Stage in Mumbai
Mumbai, April 16: Bengaluru FC and Reliance Foundation Young Champs (RFYC) played out a goalless draw at the Reliance Corporate Park (RCP) in Navi Mumbai in the National Group Stage…
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League
Millat FC win 5-2 to stay in title race, Hope United enters top 3 in the league table
Title contenders Millat FC kept their unbeaten run on with cruising 5-2 win over Kalina Rangers, Hope United picked up a come from behind win. Millat FC rode on Duane…
ISL 2023-24 Knockout 1 Preview: Playoffs fever grips the ISL as Odisha FC host Kerala Blasters FC with a semi-final spot at stake
Bhubaneswar, April 18: Odisha FC and Kerala Blasters FC will face each other in the first match of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 playoffs at the Kalinga Stadium in…
Attacking talents flourish, defensive stability define league’s best: ISL 2023-24 Statistical Breakdown
The Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 league stages rounded off with Mohun Bagan Super Giant becoming the League Champions for the first time in the history of the competition. They…
Ivan Vukomanovic: Seeing Kerala Blasters FC players shine for the national team gives me great satisfaction
Kerala Blasters FC head coach Ivan Vukomanovic is into his third season in the Indian Super League (ISL) and he has naturally overseen the rise of multiple young players who…
Mohun Bagan Super Giant crowned ISL Champions 2023-24 after 2-1 win in title-winning clash against Mumbai City FC
Kolkata, April 15: Mohun Bagan Super Giant became the Indian Super League (ISL) Champions by defeating Mumbai City FC by 2-1 at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata tonight. The…
NorthEast United FC end their campaign on a high with feisty 3-0 victory over Odisha FC
Guwahati, April 13: NorthEast United FC bowed out of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 on a high with a resounding 3-0 victory against Odisha FC at the Indira Gandhi…
ISL 2023-24 Knockout 2 Preview – Playoff Fever: FC Goa Hosts Chennaiyin FC in High-Stakes Knockout Battle
Goa, April 19: The Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 playoffs reach a fever pitch as FC Goa prepares to host Chennaiyin FC in a high-stakes knockout clash at the iconic…
Odisha FC wins their first-ever playoff match to qualify for semi-final with comeback victory against Kerala Blasters FC
Bhubaneswar, April 19: Odisha FC qualified for the semi-final of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 by beating Kerala Blasters FC by 2-1 at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar tonight. Accordingly,…
SSE BFC to conduct trials for U9 to U17 age group players
SSE BFC Soccer School will be conducting fresh trials this month for players aged below 17 to be part of their football program SSE BFC Soccer Schools is a football…
India Khelo Football Season 3 Trials for Mumbai and Thane are here
India Khelo Football (IKF) is back with Season 3 of its widely acclaimed trials with an aim to cover more than 50 cities this time around. After the resounding success…
Feature / Recommended / Trials
Mastering the Art of Football Trials: Key Pre-Trial Factors to Keep in Mind
Football trials are a critical juncture for aspiring players to showcase their skills and secure a spot in a team. To maximize your chances of success, it’s essential to tailor your approach based on your playing position as well as keeping in mind a few pre-trial factors.
Somaiya Sports Academy to conduct trials for MFA 2nd Division campaign
Somaiya Sports Academy is looking for passionate young football players for the Somaiya Sports Academy Football Team to compete in the MFA 2nd Division League 2023-2024. If selected, you will…
BFC Soccer Schools – Mumbai to conduct trials for U14 & U16 Girls
The BFC Soccer Schools Elite team girls’ trials are coming up in search of talented players from the U14 to U16 (Born 2009 and after) age groups into the club’s…
Opportunity to make the team: U.K.M. Kothrud FC conducts selection trials for girls team
Pune-based U.K.M. Kothrud FC has announced that they will be conducting selection trials for their girl’s team on 15th January 2023 The club welcomes all players to come and showcase…
The Sunday Football League Season 4 is back
The Sunday Football League is back with its fourth season, and it’s shaping up to be the best one yet. With eight talented teams competing at the Kes Kandivali turf, there…
BFC Soccer Schools Elite team trials in Feb
Bengaluru FC launched their Mumbai program last season with the Soccer Schools and Elite programs with its local partner Soccer Schools of Excellence (SSE). Bengaluru Football Club is a professional club…
India Khelo Football Season 2 Trials in Mumbai: A Chance to Kickstart Your Football Career
After conducting trials in 34 cities & villages across India, India Khelo Football is coming to Mumbai to hunt talent on 7th January. India Khelo Football kickstarted its season 2…
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League / Trials
Mumbai Customs to conduct trials for Elite League
Former champions Mumbai Customs will be holding open trials for the upcoming MFA Elite Corporate League (Elite Division) The 2019 MFA Elite Division champions Mumbai Customs are conducting open trials…