India face Pakistan in crucial SAFF Under-17 Group match

India and Pakistan will clash in their last SAFF Under-17 Championship Group B match, both already in the semifinals. With equal points and goal difference, the game will decide the group leader. Coach Bibiano Fernandes urged India to stay focused

Hyderabad: The month of September is one filled with matches between rival teams, and it is no different in the SAFF Under-17 Championship, where India take on Pakistan in their last Group B encounter.

On paper, the match is inconsequential, as both sides have already sealed their berths in the last-four stage of the competition. However, rivalries aside, India and Pakistan will also be vying for the top spot in the group, something that potentially has more than just mathematical consequences. Both teams are on six points from two matches each, and have a +7 goal difference; Pakistan are ahead with a higher ‘goals for’ count.

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For India Under-17 national team head coach Bibiano Fernandes and his boys, however, it is all about executing the plan. “An India–Pakistan game always brings excitement and attention, but we remind the boys to treat it like any other match,” Fernandes said to the-aiff.com on the eve of the game. “The focus should be on playing good football and executing our plan, rather than the occasion itself,” he said.

“We’ve told the boys to stay humble and focussed. Every game in this tournament is different, and Pakistan will pose a new challenge,” he said. “The key is to keep improving, stick to our game plan, and play with the same hunger we’ve shown so far.”

Pakistan have shown their mettle in the first two matches, defeating Bhutan (4-0) and Maldives (5-2). Fernandes, while being wary of the potential threat the rivals may pose, urged his side to match Pakistan’s intensity.

“Pakistan is a strong side with good organisation and physicality. They’ve shown their quality in the tournament so far, and we know they will test us,” said Fernandes. “It’s important that we match their intensity and convert our scoring chances.”

India, on the other hand, started their SAFF U-17 campaign with a 6-0 win against Maldives, and followed it up with a narrow 1-0 victory against Bhutan. While he appreciated the effort shown by the Blue Colts, Fernandes underlined the importance of improving every game.

“The win against Bhutan was important because it confirmed our place in the semi-finals, and I am proud of how the boys approached the game,” he said. “But we know the group is not finished yet. The match against Pakistan is crucial as it will decide who finishes on top. We want to keep improving with every game and show our best football again,” he said.

The match will kick off at 15:00 IST on Monday, September 22, 2025, and will be streamed live on the Sportzworkz YouTube channel.