MARGAO
India will look to take another decisive step forward when they face Bhutan in the second semi-final of the SAFF Under-20 Championship in Malé, Maldives, on Wednesday.
The Indian team has been in commanding form, sitting at the top of Group B with four points and carrying strong momentum after a crucial win that has boosted their title ambitions.
Head coach Mahesh Gawali stressed the importance of maintaining focus, describing the clash as one of the toughest fixtures of the tournament. He emphasized that a victory over Bhutan is vital in their pursuit of a place in the final. Meanwhile, India’s appeal against the red card shown to their goalkeeper was rejected by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
“We are ready and completely focused on ourselves—on what we need to do and what we expect from the match. We have only one goal: to win and reach the final,” Gawali said.
Speaking about the upcoming contest, he added, “We expect a great match against one of the most exciting teams in the competition. In terms of quality and intensity, it should be a very good game because both sides want to win and play attractive football.”
Gawali also expressed satisfaction with his squad’s recent performances and attitude. “We are going through a good phase. I’m very happy with the players—not just for the results, but for their commitment. That is the most important thing for me. When players fight like this, it builds trust. The team is confident, ambitious, and performing well,” he noted.
On facing Bhutan at this stage, Gawali remained focused on his own team’s approach. “How we approach the match will determine the outcome. We must concentrate on ourselves, maintain the same ambition and attitude we’ve shown in recent games, and not overthink the opposition. That mindset will give us the best chance to win,” he concluded.
