India U-15 side to face Turkish giants Fenerbahce this month
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Defending SAFF champions, India U-15s, would be playing two friendly matches against Turkish giants Keciorengucu FC and Fenerbahce FC on September 9 and 11 respectively. Bibiano Fernandes’ side would next be heading to Uzbekistan, where they aim to make a mark in the AFC U-16 Championship.
The India U-15 side has impressed one and all in the stunning manner in which they have lifted the 2019 SAFF U-15 Championship last week in Kalyani, West Bengal. However, coach Fernandes hasn’t been giving his boys much time to rest on their laurels as they would be leaving for a couple of exposure matches to Turkey.
“The boys are as ready as they were before the SAFF Championship began. As I have said before this is all a part of the process, and the final target is, of course, the AFC Qualifiers. So it is important that you do not take any match or any tour lightly and as a team, you are always prepared and ready,” said Bibiano, reported Sportstar.
“The first thing I did after the SAFF victory is to remind the boys that we still haven’t achieved our target yet. Yes, the boys deserved to celebrate the SAFF victory and we did so, but now we are already back on track and the team has already set its eyes forward,” Fernandes added.
The India junior side coach has been of the opinion that playing the age-group teams of the traditionally strong Turkish clubs would go a long way to help his boys in preparing for the tough challenges that lied ahead of them in the AFC U-16 Championships qualifiers.
“It will be a different and tougher challenge. We had played the Besiktas Youth team the last time we were in Turkey with the previous batch, and we know very well how good the Turkish players are technical.
“I really believe it will be very helpful for our preparations for the AFC Qualifiers. To compete and hopefully win against some really good European opposition just prior to a tournament as important as the AFC Qualifier will go a long way in boosting the players’ self-confidence,” added Bibiano.
The India U-15 side has been clubbed with Bahrain, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan for the AFC U-16 Championship qualification campaign.
