The squad has gained confidence after their recent comeback win over Chinese Taipei, where captain Dallalmuon Gangte scored a hat-trick to turn the game around. That performance has lifted spirits and given the team belief ahead of the Lebanon match.

Coach and players have focused on recovery, preparation and tactical training, ensuring that everyone is fit and tuned for the next challenge. The young team knows that a positive result against Lebanon could keep their hopes of qualification alive.

India will now aim to carry forward their momentum, stay disciplined on the field, and build on the resilience they showed in their last game. With unity and focus, the Blue Colts go into this match determined to fight for a result.

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The match began with an early setback for India, as Chinese Taipei scored in the 4th minute to take a 1–0 lead. Despite the slow start, the Blue Colts stayed calm, kept the ball well and slowly took control of the game.

India’s hard work paid off in the 32nd minute, when Gangte finished a well-worked move to equalise and bring India back into the match before halftime.

In the second half, India looked sharper and more confident. Gangte took full charge, scoring again in the 77th minute after a loose clearance fell his way. Just two minutes later, he completed his hat-trick with a powerful left-footed strike, making it 3–1 and sealing the comeback.

This important win moves India to second place in Group D with four points, keeping their qualification hopes alive with one match still to play.

With momentum on their side and Gangte leading from the front, India will now look to build on this victory as they prepare for their next challenge in the qualifiers.

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The Blue Colts began their campaign with a 1–1 draw against Palestine U17, a match where they had plenty of control but couldn’t convert their chances.

With just one point from the opener, India now need a win to stay in the race — only the group-winner advances to the main tournament. Head coach Bibiano Fernandes expressed confidence in the team, saying his players have had time to rest and prepare carefully. He stressed that despite the draw, their ambition remains unchanged: “Play with confidence, responsibility and stay sharp.”

With a few extra days’ rest compared to Chinese Taipei, the Blue Colts hope to use their freshness and home advantage to press for a result. Fernandes added the break allowed them to fix small tactical details and improve clarity on the pitch.

The match will be streamed live and free on FIFA+, giving fans everywhere a chance to follow the action.

With their path forward hanging in the balance, all eyes will be on the Blue Colts — a win tonight could revive their hopes and keep their qualification dream alive.

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For the Goan tactician, this was his second U17 crown, adding to earlier triumphs at the SAFF U15 Championships in Kathmandu (2017), Kalyani (2019), the U17 title in Sri Lanka (2022), and most recently, the U19 crown in Arunachal Pradesh (2025). Now, with another U17 success in Colombo for a second time, Fernandes’ record reflects not just silverware, but a legacy of sustained excellence across India’s youth teams.

It is tempting to call this a story of numbers but the man himself quickly shifts the focus. “Winning a trophy is always special, but for me, it’s less about the number and more about the process behind it,” he said. “Each title reflects the hard work, discipline, and belief of the players and staff who commit themselves fully to the team’s cause. The fifth one for me is not a destination, it’s just another marker on our journey. It shows we are moving in the right direction, but it also reminds us that we cannot be satisfied.”

That word “process” has followed Fernandes since he first took charge. His coaching has always been built on the same foundation – realism. Training sessions under him are less about cones and comfort, and more about replicating the chaos, intensity, and decisions of a real match. “I avoid training sessions that merely resemble football. I only implement practices that directly translate to match-day performance. My goal is to ensure the players’ actions are instinctive and game-ready,” he explained.

And yet, within that strict demand for realism, Bibiano has carved out space for freedom. Mistakes, in his teams, are not punished but studied, as long as they come from courage. “I believe in fostering a culture of positive risk-taking. I give players the freedom to make mistakes, provided those mistakes come from an honest attempt to execute the team’s intention. This is how players learn, grow, and contribute meaningfully to the team,” he said. Many of his players over the years, some of whom now represent India at senior and U-23 level have carried that lesson forward, remembering their coach’s insistence that football belongs to the brave.

His leadership, he says, is guided by “understanding the moment”. Sometimes that means an arm around the shoulder of a struggling teenager far from home; at other times it means demanding more, raising standards, and making sure no one slips into complacency. This balance of empathy and firmness has earned him not just results, but loyalty.

Motivation, after so many victories, might be hard for some to sustain. But not for Fernandes. “My motivation comes from the game itself and from the responsibility I feel towards the players and Indian football. What drives me is the vision to see our football reach higher levels, to see players express themselves fearlessly, and to contribute to the long-term dream of competing at the world stage. As long as there is work to be done, I will always find the energy to keep going.”

Behind him, he adds, stands his family, the constant, unseen support system. “Their unwavering support has been an indispensable source of strength and motivation,” he said, acknowledging the sacrifices made at home so he could live this journey with Indian football.

As the trophy glittered under the Racecourse International Stadium floodlights, Bibiano knew the work was far from over. For him, this was not the climax of a story, but another chapter. The seventh U17 SAFF crown for India and his fifth as a coach will sit proudly in the record books, but the greater dream of seeing India stand tall on the world stage remains ahead. And if history is any guide, Fernandes will continue to move forward, one fearless training session, one brave young footballer, and one honest performance at a time.

Credits: AIFF Media

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COLOMBO, SRI LANKA: In a commanding performance, the India U-17 men’s national team brushed aside Nepal with a comprehensive 3-0 victory to book their place in the final of the SAFF U-17 Championship 2025. The semi-final, held at the Racecourse International Stadium on Thursday, 25 September 2025, saw the defending champions finally convert their dominance into goals, setting up a title clash against Bangladesh, who earlier defeated Pakistan 2-0.

Wangkheirakpam Gunleiba (61’) and substitutes Azlaan Shah Kh (80’) and Diamond Singh Thokchom (90+4’) were the scorers as the Blue Colts notched up their fourth consecutive win in the tournament.

While the scoreline at half-time remained goalless, it belied India’s authority and composure on the ball. India displayed maturity beyond their years, orchestrating attacks through smart distribution and wide play, keeping Nepal on the back foot for most of the half. The only concern for head coach Bibiano Fernandes’ side was the lack of clinical finishing, an issue that prevented them from going into the break with a comfortable cushion.

India’s first real opportunity came amidst a scramble in the box when Wangkheirakpam Gunleiba fired goalwards, only to be thwarted by a sharp block from a Nepal defender. The chance sparked further urgency in the Indian ranks. Moments later, Md Aimaan floated in a delightful cross from the left which fell to Dallalmuon Gangte, but the usually dependable forward couldn’t find the target.

Defensively, India were watertight. The midfield closed down space with discipline while the backline cut off passing channels, leaving Nepal with little choice but to attempt long-range efforts. One such effort by Pratis Thapa Magar, a powerful drive from the edge of the box, forced a full-stretch save from goalkeeper Manashjyoti Baruah.

Just before the interval, India nearly took the lead. A cross from the left caught the Nepal custodian off his line. Kamgouhao Doungel, perfectly placed at the far post, hesitated to take the shot first time, opting instead to control the ball, an error that allowed Nepal’s defence to regroup and clear.

The breakthrough finally came in the 61st minute. Denny Singh Wangkhem fed a low ball from the right into the Nepal penalty area. Gangte cleverly dummied the pass, wrong-footing the entire backline and goalkeeper. The ball landed at the feet of Gunleiba, who calmly slotted it home to open the scoring and break Nepal’s resistance.

The second goal came in the 80th minute, the result of a classic counter-attack. Substitute Azlaan Shah received a pass down the left and charged forward with blistering pace. A sharp change of direction left his marker stumbling, before he unleashed a thunderous and spectacular strike into the net.

India wrapped up the match in stoppage time. Gunleiba’s low cross beat the Nepal defence and fell invitingly for another substitute, Diamond Singh Thokchom, who tapped in from close range to cap off a clinical performance and spark wild celebrations in the Indian camp.

India: Manashjyoti Baruah (GK), Maldino Singh Yumnam (Lawmsangzuala None 45′), Indra Magar, Shubham Poonia, Thanggoumang Touthang, Kamgouhao Doungel (Azlaan Shah Kh 45′), Rahan Ahmed, Dallalmuon Gangte (Nitishkumar Meitei Yengkhom 88′), Md Aimaan Bin, Wangkheirakpam Gunleiba, Denny Singh Wangkhem (C).

Credits: AIFF Media

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Looking to emulate his wonder goal against Brazil in the BRICS Championship last year, on October 06, 2017 when the Indian U-17 World Cup Team takes to the field against USA, caught up with fleet-footed midfielder Komal Thatal and had a detailed chat about the Indian U-17s preparation and the USA challenge. EXCERPTS:

When the Indian U-17s step on to the pitch on October 06, it will be a historic moment for Indian football.

It will be a big and historic moment for not only Indian Football, but for each and every Indian. This will be India’s first ever participation in a FIFA World Cup and we expect the nation the get behind us and cheer for us. Come, support us, fill the stadiums as this (FIFA U-17) World Cup is not only ours, it is every Indian’s.

How prepared is the team?

We are prepared, mentally and physically. We are raring to go and at the moment there is a lot of excitement in the camp. Everyone wants the next few days to fly by and arrive on matchday

How fares the USA challenge?

We respect every team in our group, but we are ready to face them and give them a hard fight.  We will give it our best on the pitch and will fight until the last breath.

Can we see a repeat of the Brazil goal against USA?

I cannot promise that but we play as a team, we win as a team, we lose as a team. Our strength lies in unity and if I can help my team by scoring a goal then so be it. But at the end of the day, it is unity that counts and not individuality.

Also Read: MDFA 2nd Division: CSL start campaign with a 3-0 win

– courtesy AIFF media

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