MARGAO
India U-17 football team’s goalkeeping coach Parshuram Salwadi recently reflected on the team’s successful AFC U-17 Asian Cup 2026 qualification campaign, highlighting the players’ discipline, collective effort and ability to compete against top Asian opposition.
India have secured qualification earlier after a crucial win over the Islamic Republic of Iran in their final Group D qualifying match at the EKA Arena in Ahmedabad. With only group winners advancing, the Bibiano Fernandes-coached side faced a must-win situation against Iran, who needed only a draw. India rose to the occasion and sealed their place in the continental tournament.
Looking back at the campaign, Salwadi said the players proved they belonged at the highest level.
“I am very happy with the team’s overall performance in the qualifiers,” Salwadi said. “The players showed character throughout the tournament and proved they can compete with elite teams in Asia. It was a collective effort involving the technical, administrative and medical staff.”
Salwadi, who hails from Fatorda, has a rich footballing background. As a player, he represented VLM and Salcete Football Club in the First Division League and featured for Goa Sub-Junior Nationals and in the Army Championship.
His coaching career includes a successful stint as head coach of the Services football team, with whom he won the Santosh Trophy in 2018-19, and later guided the team to qualification for the final round in the 2019-20 season before the competition was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
As a goalkeeping coach, Salwadi has achieved notable success, including: Working with the India U-17 national team, which won the SAFF Championship and qualified for the AFC U-17 Asian Cup.
Making his ISL debut with Bengaluru FC during the 2022-23 season. Winning the Reliance Foundation Development League with BFC Reserves in 2022-23. Claiming the Santosh Trophy with Services in 2015-16. Finishing runners-up in the Kolkata Premier A League with Army XI in 2015-16.
Salwadi holds an AFC ‘A’ Licence, AFC Goalkeeping Level 3 certification, and a one-year diploma from LNUPE, Gwalior. He currently serves as a goalkeeping coach with the India U-17 national team and the AIFF-FIFA Academy in Odisha.
Emphasising his coaching philosophy, Salwadi reiterated his belief in game-based learning.
“Training football with football is important. It helps players become more instinctive and better prepared for match situations,” he said.
Reflecting on the future, Salwadi added that the team remains hungry for success and is focused on maintaining consistency at the Asian level.
