City
Epaper

India gear up to play Bangladesh in SAFF U-18 Championship

By IANS | Updated: September 22, 2019 17:10 IST

A confident India U-18 football team will be looking to open their campaign in the SAFF U-18 Championship on a winning note when they take on Bangladesh in their opening match here on Monday.

Open in App

Bangladesh sit pretty with a 3-0 victory over Sri Lanka in the opening encounter of the group, and India U-19 Head Coach Floyd Pinto is quite aware of the threats the Bangladesh team possess.

"We watched them in their first match against Sri Lanka. Their physical presence and strength is remarkable. They are also really good on set pieces," Pinto told www.the-aiff.com.

"All of that means that we need to be on the top of our game. It will be quite a test for us. But we are ready for the challenges. We need to maintain the focus, and the intensity and play the same way as done before," he added.

Assistant coach Mahesh Gawli also highlighted that the SAFF Championship will be the indicator of the team's strengths, and weaknesses as they prepare for the eventual test - the AFC U-19 Qualifiers slated in November.

"The SAFF Championship is extremely significant. We have done well in the 3 exposure tours where the boys faced international oppositions and performed very well," Gawli, touted as India's best-ever defender since the 1990s, said.

"The boys look focussed, and very sharp in training."

The U-19 boys headed to the SAFF Championship on the back of a successful outing in Vanuatu, where they had finished in first place.

Floyd insisted that they will be "taking one match at a time."

"We have to take one game at a time. We also have to maintain the right level of focus, and let our football do the talking. Only what we do on the pitch will matter," he maintained.

Goalkeeper Prabshukhan Singh Gill felt there is no dearth of leadership in the team.

"We have a lot of leaders in the team who can guide in pressure situations. Bangladesh have a good squad. They had reached the finals in the last edition. The SAFF is a tough tournament. But we are here to win it," he quipped.

( With inputs from IANS )

Tags: Floyd PintoMahesh GawlibangladeshSri Lanka
Open in App

Related Stories

NationalMurshidabad Violence: India Slams Bangladesh’s Remarks, Says It Should Focus on Protecting Rights of Its Own Minorities

InternationalWhy Are Protesters in Bangladesh Targeting Global Brands Bata, KFC, and Puma Over Gaza? (Watch Video)

InternationalEid al-Fitr 2025 Date: Indonesia, Malaysia, Bangladesh to Celebrate Ramadan Eid on March 31

PunePune: Bangladeshi Woman and Husband Arrested for Visa Violation in Chikhali, Kudalwadi

CricketTamim Iqbal Health Update: Ex-Bangladesh Captain Discharged From Hospital After Heart Attack

फुटबॉल Realted Stories

FootballLiverpool becomes Premier League champions for 2024-25 season

FootballChhangte's strike puts Mumbai City FC in Kalinga Super Cup semi-finals

Football"My desire is to return to Mohun Bagan, but it's not in my hands": Mumbai City FC's Prabir Das

FootballKounde's late strike leaves Real Madrid gobsmacked as Barcelona lift Copa del Rey title with nail-biting 3-2 win

FootballFC Goa strike late to pip Punjab to Kalinga Super Cup semis