Bibiano Fernandes Issues Clear Challenge To India U15 Stars After Mixed Campaign

India U15 head coach Bibiano Fernandes has urged his players to learn from their mixed group-stage campaign at the FIFA U15 World Cup and Festival and improve their performances as the Blue Colts prepare to face Honduras in the second phase on October 28. India finished third in Group K with 10 points from five matches, registering three wins, one draw and one defeat. They will now compete in Tier C, which determines positions 65 to 96, with Fernandes emphasising the importance of using every match as an opportunity for development. "It's been a great learning experience for all of us. This U15 World Cup is about understanding whether we can compete at this level, and I'm proud of the way the boys have competed in the first round, showing great character and belief," Fernandes said.

India began their campaign with a 4-2 win over Laos before edging Cameroon 2-1. They then squandered a three-goal lead to draw 3-3 against Grenada, but bounced back to beat Bahrain 4-3 with two late goals.

The Blue Colts concluded the group stage with a 1-6 defeat to Senegal, while Cameroon's 2-0 win over Bahrain ensured India finished third behind Senegal and Cameroon.

Fernandes acknowledged that the team had shown character during the first four matches but needed to improve in several areas, particularly their ability to maintain concentration throughout games.

"Hard work and belief were key to our unbeaten run. However, we know there is still a lot of room for improvement, and we must continue working hard, learning and developing as a team," he said.

India's 2-1 win over Cameroon stood out for their defensive discipline, with goalkeeper Jenit Ningthoujam making several crucial saves, including stopping a penalty. However, the draw against Grenada exposed their vulnerability after conceding three goals in six minutes despite building a 3-0 lead.

The team also showed resilience against Bahrain, with R Lalremruatfela and Nibas Meetei Wahengbam scoring in the 38th and 39th minutes respectively to secure victory after the opposition had drawn level.

R Lalremruatfela and Macdonnish Ngairangbam were among India's leading attacking performers, combining for eight goals during the group stage. Fernandes, however, highlighted the contribution of the entire team to their success.

"Both have stood out with their attacking qualities and individual talent. They have contributed important goals, but football is a team game, and their performances are also a result of the collective effort and support of the entire team," he said.

Reflecting on the defeat to Senegal, Fernandes said India had come up against a more developed footballing side, adding that the experience would help the young players understand the level required to compete internationally.

India will face Honduras in the Tier C Round of 32 on Tuesday. The winners will take on either France or Trinidad and Tobago, while the losers will drop into the 81st-96th place classification bracket.

"Our priority is to learn from the first round, adapt and continue improving. We want to perform even better in the next stage, achieve the best possible finish, and use every match as an opportunity to develop as a team," Fernandes said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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