Shilarze Saha Roy
AIFF Media Team

MALÉ, MALDIVES: The turquoise waters and calm surroundings of Maldives provide a picturesque backdrop, but inside the Indian camp, the focus is firmly on business. Leading the India U20 men’s national team as the head coach at the SAFF U20 Championship, Mahesh Gawali, who is also the India senior men’s team’s assistant coach. 

The former Blue Tigers’ defender has wasted little time in getting the players aligned with the objectives for the tournament.

From the moment the squad landed in Malé, the emphasis has been on clarity, sharpness, and readiness for competitive action. The Blue Colts will face Pakistan (March 26) and Bangladesh (March 28) in Group B. Both matches will kick off at 16:15 IST at the National Stadium in Malé. Group A consists of hosts Maldives, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bhutan. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the semi-finals that will take place on April 1. The final will be held on April 3. All matches will be streamed live on the Sportzworkz YouTube Channel.

With India set to begin their campaign on March 26, the-aiff.com caught up with Gawali, who spoke about strengthening the pathway to the senior team, maintaining a consistent playing philosophy across age groups, and using the tournament as a platform to test the temperament of a promising group of young players. Excerpts:

Q: You are currently leading the India U20 team while also being part of the senior national team setup. How important is this role in strengthening the pathway for young players?

Mahesh Gawali: It is a very important responsibility. The idea is to ensure continuity between the youth teams and the senior national team. We want players at the U20 level to understand the expectations early, both in terms of playing style and professionalism. 

When they eventually move up, the transition becomes smoother. This tournament gives us a chance to observe them closely in competitive matches and guide them in the right direction.

Q: India head coach Khalid Jamil spoke about building for the future. How does the U20 team fit into that long-term vision?

Mahesh Gawali: The U20 team is a key part of that vision. Many of these players are at an age where they are ready to take the next step. Our focus is on developing their decision-making, game awareness, and consistency.

We want them to grow into players who can contribute to the U23 and senior teams. The more exposure they get in tournaments like this, the better prepared they will be for future challenges.

Q: How are you trying to implement a consistent playing philosophy across age groups?

Mahesh Gawali: We are focusing on simple but clear principles. We want players to be intelligent and sharp in their decision-making. When players think quickly and read the game well, they naturally become more comfortable on the ball. That is very important. We also want them to stay disciplined defensively and be quick in transitions.

The idea is also to prepare them for high-intensity football. The level we expect is high, and the players must push themselves to reach that standard. They can do that by playing smart football, moving the ball quickly, and making good decisions under pressure.

We are also focusing on how we play and how players adjust to different situations, whether the game is high-intensity or slower in tempo.

Q: With several promising players in the squad, what are you looking for from them during the SAFF U20 Championship?

Mahesh Gawali: We know there is talent in this group, and there is good quality in the players. What is important for us now is to see how they perform under pressure. That is where we can really understand their temperament and readiness for the next level.

We want them to express themselves and show consistency. This is a good platform to assess how they handle pressure and responsibility. We are encouraging them to take initiative, communicate on the field, and work as a unit. 

At this stage, it is important that they learn to make good decisions and maintain focus throughout the match.

Q: How does this tournament help you evaluate players for the next level?

Mahesh Gawali: Competitive matches always give a clearer picture. Training sessions are important, but games show how players react in real situations. This tournament allows us to understand their talent, ability to handle pressure, technical quality, tactical awareness and adaptability.

These are factors that matter when identifying players who can progress to higher levels. The experience they gain here will be valuable for their development.

Q: What message have you given the players ahead of the tournament?

Mahesh Gawali: The message is to stay confident and positive, and to believe that we can do well as a team. They have worked hard to be here, and it is important that they back themselves and trust each other. If they focus on their roles and play with discipline, the performances will follow.

At the same time, we want them to learn from every match and keep improving. This is an important step in their journey, and we want them to make the most of it.