My work isn’t done until we qualify for the World Cup, says India U-20 coach Bibiano Fernandes

My work isn’t done until we qualify for the World Cup, says India U-20 coach Bibiano Fernandes

Bibiano Fernandes played just once for India in a 15-year career. That lone appearance came in June 2005 during a tour of Pakistan when he came off the bench in a 0-3 defeat.

Nearly two decades later, he stepped off the bench again — this time for an India All-Stars side — on a night when 23,000 fans at Chennai’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium watched in awe as Brazil Legends took the field.

At 48, Bibiano stunned the crowd with an audacious chip over Heurelho Gomes in the second half, levelling the score against the Canaries of yesteryears. Though the Brazilians won 2-1, the moment was unforgettable for the former midfielder.

“I can’t explain the feeling. It was surreal,” Bibiano told Sportstar. “Playing in front of a big crowd again brought back emotions I hadn’t felt in years.”

When David Anand, one of the event’s organisers, invited him, Bibiano didn’t hesitate. “I said yes immediately. Playing against those legends was a dream.”

But the game wasn’t just about facing Ronaldinho and Rivaldo. For Bibiano, another dream came true — sharing the field with IM Vijayan, Mahesh Gawli, and Deepak Mondal. “I had never played alongside Vijayan before. To finally do so was special.”

Vijayan, now the All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) Technical Committee chairman, played a key role in recommending Bibiano for the India Under-20 men’s head coach role in February. However, he was still under contract with Bengaluru FC’s reserves team at the time.

“I was eager to take the job,” Bibiano said. “I spent eight years with the India U-17 and U-16 teams, and my work isn’t done until we qualify for a U-17 or U-20 World Cup. BFC understood my ambition and released me despite my contract.”

His commitment was evident — within a day of playing in Chennai, he was back training with his Blue Colts under the floodlights in Bengaluru.

“We have to start at ages 9 to 15. Only then can we build a strong U-17 team. We need to qualify for the U-17 and U-20 World Cups before we can think about the senior World Cup,” he said.

The man who led India to three consecutive AFC U-17 Asian Cup appearances (2018–2023), now gears up for his first assignment as U-20 coach: the SAFF U-19 Championship in Yupia, Arunachal Pradesh, this May.