Jamshedpur : Jamshedpur FC U-17 head coach Kaizad Ambapardiwalla believes the team’s inspiring journey to the final of the AIFF U-17 Elite Youth League must serve as a foundation for greater achievements ahead.
The young Men of Steel finished runners-up in their maiden appearance in the title clash, marking a historic milestone in the club’s youth development program.
Reflecting on the campaign, Kaizad called the team’s run “phenomenal” and praised the players’ resilience and eagerness to learn.
“From the qualifiers to the final, the boys showed a strong sense of belief. It was a learning curve for them,” he said. “We’ve had our highs and lows, but the way they responded, especially in the knockout games, was outstanding. Reaching the final for the first time in our U-17 history speaks volumes about the players’ mentality and commitment.”
The coach highlighted the quarterfinal win over NorthEast United FC as a turning point. “Coming back from a goal down and dominating the second half showed our maturity and resilience. It gave the boys confidence that they belonged at the highest level. That momentum carried into the semifinal, where we played some of our best football against a strong AIFF Talent Academy side,” he said.
Although Jamshedpur fell 1-4 to Punjab FC in the final, Kaizad emphasized the positives. “We started slow and gave Punjab too much space, which they capitalized on. But I was proud of our second-half response. We kept the ball better, pressed higher, and created chances. The boys never gave up. That spirit is something we can build on.”
The journey — from a post-Covid centralized U-15 scouting trial to the U-17 final — has been nothing short of extraordinary. Jamshedpur FC U-17 finished second in their qualifying group, topped the playoff round, placed second in Group D, and then powered past NorthEast United FC in the quarterfinal and thrashed the AIFF-FIFA Talent Academy 5-0 in the semifinal.
Despite falling short in the final, the campaign stands as a proud chapter in the club’s youth football story.
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