Bibiano’s advise: They should prepare playing against teams like Iran
Sudeep Pakrashi: It was not the first time the Indian under-17 football team qualified for the finals of the under-17 Asian Cup. India already qualified for the finals of the under-Asian Cup thrice in 2018, 2020 and 2023 and every time, under the guidance of former India international Bibiano Fernandes. On Saturday, India’s under-17 national team’s qualification for the under-17 Asian Cup came for the fourth time. But the significant part was that, this was the first time India defeated Iran in the under-17 Asian Cup qualifiers, and Bibiano Fernandes says winning against a stronger team like Iran is one of his most memorable victories as coach. The chief national coach under whose guidance India secured SAFF Championship recently, revealed while speaking to Parallel Sports on Monday, “Yes, winning against a team like Iran was not easy. I convinced the boys to be careful on strengthening defensive organization and make counterattacks according to the situation. They did a great job, fought till the end. All credit should go the boys.” India will have to compete against the top-level teams like Qatar, Soudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, DPR Korea, Korea Republic, and China in the finals of under-17 Asian Cup, to be held in Saudi Araboia in May. Bibiano explains, “These boys have huge potential. They need to play preparatory matches the stronger teams like Iran. Simultaneously, the boys will also benefit if they get the opportunity to take part in a tournament like I-League.” Rajrup Sarkar, the custodian from North 24 Parganas and a student of Zinc Football Academy Rajasthan, had an excellent performance in India’s do-or-die match against Iran. Bibiano also praised a lot about the goalkeeper stating, “He dished out an exceptional performance against Iran. I should be thankful to our goalkeeping coach for having guided him properly. In our national preparatory camp, goalkeepers never train alone. They are always trained with the defenders and before Iran match, goalkeepers underwent an intense training of penalty shoot-outs.” When asked about his own desire, Bibiano Fernandes did not hide, saying, “Yes, now I desire to become a coach of the senior national team in future.”
Sundarban Bengal Auto FC: Unavailability of ground causes delay in preparation: Local talents impress Mehtab and Asim
MD Nijam Uddin Laskar is a successful businessman based in Baruipur, South 24 Parganas. Out of passion for football, Laskar used to make investments in building up teams for the ‘masala matches’ which used to be played around the districts. The 40-year-old businessman expresses his gratitude to former India international Mehtab Hossain for insisting on his joining the forthcoming Bengal Super League (BSL) as one of the franchise owners. So, Nizam Uddin and a couple of his friends initiated the foundation of a private limited company, Bengal Sports & Entertainment. Under the company’s banner, Sundarban Bengal Auto FC has been formed. The franchise has already registered 33 footballers. Among them, four foreigners will be recruited. One Ghanaian defender, Solomon, has already joined the team. Negotiations are on with two Brazilian and a Senegalese footballer. But Nizam revealed, “We were late in the team-building process. That is why we were getting a proper training ground, and we were even in a dilemma about selecting our home match in the BSL. We got a training ground finally near Baruipur, but that was a nine-sided ground and not up to the mark.” Chief coach Mehtab Hossain also had the same opinion as he commented, “We do not have a proper ground for training. Initiatives are underway to conduct a one-week preparatory camp on a better ground around in Kolkata before the League.” Still, he made noticeable appreciations for the local talents, already roped in for the franchise. “Around 10 local footballers have been recruited. I observed them for only a couple of days. But they are very promising. Especially, there is one boy named Sahil. He looked highly talented considering the basics of the game. If these boys are provided proper directions and are nurtured mentally, then they will grow a lot.” Return of another former India international, Asim Biswas, to the team as a mentor is also a significant incident. The 45-year-old striker, once called one of the most gifted footballers of Bengal, also had praise for the local talents, who joined the franchise. “The boys need to be nurtured properly, especially in the mental part. They look strong in the basics of the game, and it should be our advantage,” commented Asim. When asked about the team’s performance in the opening year, both Mehtab and Asim expressed the same motive, commenting, “Our aim will be to produce quality football. We cannot expect results from the boys in the opening season after short-term preparation.” Sundarban Auto Bengal FC will play their home match at Caning Stadium, which has a capacity of around 10 thousand spectators. Nizam also revealed that they have plans to develop memberships for the club through branding. “The investment in total will go nearly Rs 2.5 Crores. So, our aim is to earn sponsorships also through branding so that we can also make profits in the second season of the League,” added Nizam.
Sundarban Auto Bengal FC: Team lack quality ground for preparation: Mehtab and Asim impressed by local talents
Mohammed Nizamuddin Laskar is a successful businessman based in Baruipur, South 24 Parganas. Out of passion for football, Laskar used to make investments in building up teams for the ‘masala matches’ which used to be played around the districts. The 40-year-old businessman expresses his gratitude to former India international Mehtab Hossain for insisting on his joining the forthcoming Bengal Super League (BSL) as one of the franchise owners. So, Nizamuddin and a couple of his friends initiated the foundation of a private limited company, Bengal Sports & Entertainment. Under the company’s banner, Sundarban Auto Bengal FC has been formed. The franchise has already registered 33 footballers. Among them, four foreigners will be recruited. One Ghanaian defender, Solomon, has already joined the team. Negotiations are on with two Brazilian and a Senegalese footballer. But Nizam revealed, “We were late in the team-building process. That is why we were getting a proper training ground, and we were even in a dilemma about selecting our home match in the BSL. We got a training ground finally near Baruipur, but that was a nine-sided ground and not up to the mark.” Chief coach Mehtab Hossain also had the same opinion as he commented, “We do not have a proper ground for training. Initiatives are underway to conduct a one-week preparatory camp on a better ground around in Kolkata before the League.” Still, he made noticeable appreciations for the local talents, already roped in for the franchise. “Around 10 local footballers have been recruited. I observed them for only a couple of days. But they are very promising. Especially, there is one boy named Sahil. He looked highly talented considering the basics of the game. If these boys are provided proper directions and are nurtured mentally, then they will grow a lot.” Return of another former India international, Asim Biswas, to the team as a mentor is also a significant incident. The 45-year-old striker, once called one of the most gifted footballers of Bengal, also had praise for the local talents, who joined the franchise. “The boys need to be nurtured properly, especially in the mental part. They look strong in the basics of the game, and it should be our advantage,” commented Asim. When asked about the team’s performance in the opening year, both Mehtab and Asim expressed the same motive, commenting, “Our aim will be to produce quality football. We cannot expect results from the boys in the opening season after short-term preparation.” Sundarban Auto Bengal FC will play their home match at Caning Stadium, which has a capacity of around 10 thousand spectators. Nizam also revealed that they have plans to develop memberships for the club through branding. “The investment in total will go nearly Rs 2.5 Crores. So, our aim is to earn sponsorships also through branding so that we can also make profits in the second season of the League,” added Nizam.
