The Indian juniors will take inspiration from their senior team's triumph in the Intercontinental Cup when they face Uzbekistan in the AFC U-17 Asian Cup in Pathum Thani on Tuesday. (More Football News)
A point in bag, India will enter their second Group D match with confidence, feels head coach Bibiano Fernandes.
The India U-17s began their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Vietnam.
"It's very important for us to approach the match against Uzbekistan in a calm and confident manner," said Fernandes.
"We already have a point, which is a decent start if you ask me. Right now all four teams in our group are on a point each, and it would take just one good result to swing the momentum in our favour."
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As it stands, India are at the bottom of Group D, though all teams – Japan, Uzbekistan, Vietnam and India – are on a point apiece.
While the Blue Colts train hard for their AFC U-17 Asian Cup campaign, they have also been keeping an eye on their senior counterparts, who won the Intercontinental Cup on Sunday, defeating Lebanon 2-0 at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar.
Fernandes feels that the boys took a lot of motivation from the performance that Sunil Chhetri's men put in, especially in the second half.
"The win against Lebanon certainly motivated our boys. Lebanon are a tough side to play against, and our senior team did well to come back in the second half to win the match," said Fernandes.
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"It was a good lesson for our boys as well. It will be good motivation ahead of the Uzbekistan game."
