Mahesh Gawali leads India back to AFC U20 Asian Cup after 20-year wait

Mahesh Gawali’s disciplined approach has taken India back to the AFC U20 Asian Cup after a 20-year wait. Following a 3-0 win over Bangladesh, Gawali anxiously watched Uzbekistan beat Syria before finally celebrating qualification with his coaching staff.

Hyderabad: Mahesh Gawali is usually a man of few words. Those who know him well know that. Disciplined, hardworking and understated, he was one of India’s finest defenders during a playing career that spanned almost two decades. Now, as a coach, he has led India back to the AFC U20 Asian Cup after a 20-year wait.

None of the players who achieved it on Sunday had even been born the last time India played in the tournament.

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If there are three words that have become synonymous with Gawali’s speeches to his players, they are discipline, concentration and attitude. He is stern, he is demanding, and he expects a lot. But there is a difference between being strict and being harsh. Gawali is never the latter. Every now and then, he also affords that rare smile.

September 6 was a long day for the 46-year-old. It began at 1:45 PM, when the team bus departed the hotel for the Do’stlik Stadium.

By around 6 PM, India had done their part.

A 3-0 victory over Bangladesh meant six points from three matches and, crucially, a chance to qualify for the AFC U20 Asian Cup. But the job was not quite accomplished. Uzbekistan still had to avoid defeat against Syria in the final Group B match. Gawali stayed behind with his coaching staff.

He could have watched from the comfort of the VIP area, sitting on the shiny white leather sofas. Instead, he chose the general stands, watching every minute of the Uzbekistan-Syria encounter on the edge of his cold, half-broken plastic seat with the same concentration he had demanded from his players throughout the campaign.

When Uzbekistan eventually won 3-0, the tension finally lifted. Gawali thanked his staff and, before making his way down the stadium stairs, shared a brief prayer with them.

The Syrian staff approached him on the way out. “You deserve it. Good luck in China.”

There was warmth in the words, and Gawali responded in kind. There were also handshakes and pleasantries with Uzbekistan head coach Jamoliddin Rakhmatullaev before departing for the hotel.

The team car arrived at around 9:30 PM. By then, some of the players were already waiting outside, sitting on the porch anticipating their coaches’ return.