‘A dream never dies’: Bibiano Fernandes bids adieu to Blue Colts
NEW DELHI: Consistency and creativity! These have been the two aspects of the India U-16/U-17 teams over the last eight years. The Blue Colts had consistently qualified for the AFC U-16 Championship, and the AFC U-17 Asian Cup (the rebranded version of the former) in 2018, 2020, and 2023.
While Indian Football is at a stage where qualification for the continental stage is celebrated as a success, there is one team that put that aside, dreamt of bigger things, and came tantalisingly close to achieving them. The man behind such ‘success’ and the subsequent audacious dream that almost turned into reality is none other than Bibiano Fernandes. While the 46-year-old now leaves the National Team fold after spending eight bright years in it, he leaves behind a sense of contentment and stoic belief that India can one day make it to the world’s biggest footballing stage au mérite.
“As I come to the end of eight tremendous years with the India U-17 and U-16 National Teams, the feeling is one of ample gratitude from my end. I would like to thank the AIFF President Mr Kalyan Chaubey and Secretary General Dr Shaji Prabhakaran for all their help,” said Bibiano Fernandes. “It has been an incredible experience, and I’ve been fortunate to have had the pleasure of working with all the players and support staff who were with me during these years. My assistant coach Kanan (Priolkar), goalkeeping coaches Felix (Dsouza) and Jude Barretto, team manager Rocky, analyst Mishal (Thanveer), and kit manager Constancio (Pango) have all been great. Whatever we achieved would not have been possible without any one of them.”
“I am truly grateful for the support, guidance, and friendship I’ve received from each one of them, and I want to express my deepest appreciation for the hard work and dedication that each one of them has put into helping the India U-16 and U-17 batches win three consecutive SAFF titles and to qualify for the AFC Championships three times in a row,” he said. “It was also a privilege to work with each and every player that was in our team across all the three batches, and I want to thank all of them for giving their all to the beautiful game.”
Perhaps the most memorable moment for the Blue Colts under Fernandes came in the 2018 AFC U-16 Championship in Malaysia, where India finished second in Group C to book their spot in the quarter-finals – one more win away from qualifying for the FIFA U-17 World Cup. Vikram Partap Singh and co. came back with broken hearts, however, after a second-half strike from the Republic of Korea’s Jeong Sang-bin meant a 0-1 defeat for India in the quarter-finals.
In next year’s FIFA U-17 World Cup, Korea Republic made it all the way to the quarter-finals, while Sang-bin went on to play for clubs like Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League and Grasshopper CZ in the Swiss Super League. For India, the dream carried on.
The following batch of U-16s under Bibiano Fernandes raised eyebrows and induced goosebumps in every Indian Football fan, going on to score a massive 32 goals in seven matches across the SAFF U-15 Championship and the AFC U-16 Championship Qualifiers, conceding only one goal, which came against a strong Uzbekistan side, in front of a hostile crowd in Tashkent.
“The kind of football we played with the first batch was completely different from that in the second batch, and that entirely came down to the experience that the coaching staff gained in the first campaign and implemented the learnings in the second one,” said Fernandes. “I feel we had a certain amount of luck while qualifying for the 2018 AFC U-16 Championship, but we made the most of it to gain the experience.”
Sadly, the second batch never got to play in the AFC U-16 Championship in 2020 due to the pandemic.
“Those were unforeseen times and I feel extremely sad for the boys who had worked so hard to get to that level but never got to test themselves against the best in Asia due to no fault of their own,” he said. “But such were the times. Football is a very small thing when people are suffering and dying all around you.”
For the next batch, a SAFF U-17 Championship victory in Sri Lanka was followed by a successful qualification campaign in the AFC U-17 Asian Cup Qualifiers in Saudi Arabia, and the dream continued. The situation in the AFC U-17 Asian Cup group stage was, of course, much more overwhelming, but the Blue Colts performed admirably, going on to put up a tough fight against eventual champions Japan, losing 4-8 in the process.
“What I can say at the end of the day is that everyone gave their best, and that’s all I can ask of my players,” said Fernandes. “I believe it’s important to acknowledge those in every arena of life who bring about a positive impact in everything. I’m thankful to all the players, staff, and fans that supported us through thick and thin and believed in our journey. Let’s keep supporting the Blue Colts. We have one goal, one dream!”
Also Read: Mumbai City FC announce signing of José Luis Espinosa Arroyo
Also Read: Ninth SAFF title lands in the safe hands of Gurpreet Singh Sandhu
RFDL’s National Championship Preview: A Heated Battle as Football’s Brightest Stars Vie for Title Win in the Final Four Showdown
The National Championship of the elite U-21 youth tournament, the Reliance Foundation Development League (RFDL) begins on May 14, Tuesday, with four teams, i.e. defending champions Bengaluru FC, Muthoot FA, East Bengal…
Punjab FC, East Bengal FC to lock horns in Reliance Foundation Development League 2023 – 24 final after emerging triumphant in semis
Bengaluru FC and Muthoot FA to fight out in the third-place playoff Mumbai, May 14: Punjab FC and East Bengal FC qualified for the final of the Reliance Foundation Development League…
RFDL is the ultimate scouting platform – Thangboi Singto, Hyderabad FC Head Coach
Hyderabad FC head coach, Thangboi Singto, hailed the Reliance Foundation Development League (RFDL) as the premier scouting ground for budding football players in India. As the 2023-24 season’s National Championship…
A beautiful dream will come to an end on June 6, says Sunil Chhetri
BHUBANESWAR: The journey that began in 2006 in the faraway city of Quetta in Pakistan, will finally come to an end in Kolkata on June 6, 2024, after an eventful 19…
Big brother, wonderful human being, the GOAT: Chhetri an inspiration to teammates
BHUBANESWAR: As the Indian senior men’s team gathered in the Kalinga Stadium gym for their session on Thursday morning, there was a hush in the room. Less than an hour ago,…
Sunil Chhetri: A glorious international career at a glance
Born: August 3, 1984 Debut on June 12, 2005: vs Pakistan (Quetta) Matches played: 150 (captain in 87 matches) Goals scored: 94 (Top goalscorer for India) Trophies Won– Achievements– Awards– Also Read: Big brother, wonderful…
Chembur United-Jupiter FC and GKW Ranger Ease Past in their Outing in MFA First Division
In an exhilarating showdown in the MFA First Division, Chembur United-Jupiter FC cruised past Companeroes SC with a comprehensive 4-0 victory, while GKW Rangers edged out MH Oranje FC with…
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…