Mahesh Gawli looks ahead to AFC U-20 Asian Cup after ending India's 20-year wait

Panaji: India's loss against Bangladesh on penalties at the SAFF U-20 Championship , earlier this year, drew a typically abusive reaction. The team was pilloried, fans turned on them, and coach Mahesh Gawli was in the firing line.'It's disappointing when criticism gets personal,' Gawli told TOI over a phone call on Monday. 'I don't know why it was done. I forgive them. They should know that criticising someone like this never helps. They should never underestimate or ridicule anyone.'How things change.Five months after that loss against Bangladesh, the South Asian rivals squared up again on Sunday, this time on a bigger stage: AFC U-20 Asian Cup Qualifiers. The result? A fluent 3-0 win for Gawli's boys that not just settled old scores but also helped India make it to the continental stage for the first time in 20 years.'There was lot of pressure before the game. I showed the boys the SAFF Championship clash and how we were criticised. That was the motivation to do very well. We played proper football and not just hoofing the ball up. Now that qualification is secured, we have to focus on the Asian Cup in China. Preparation is important. We all have to work together and support the boys, so that we can do better.Bangladesh, for the record, were bolstered by the inclusion of five overseas talents and were harbouring strong hopes of ending a 24-year drought and punching their ticket to the finals for the first time since their sixth final appearance in 2002.Instead, it were India who qualified after finishing second in the group behind hosts Uzbekistan, who they lost 4-0. It was the only time in seven games – including the four preparatory friendlies – that the team conceded a goal. Six clean sheets, not bad for a side that is coached by someone who was counted among India's best defenders during a career that spanned almost two decades.'Once we qualified, my thoughts were on how we can prepare well and take good aim at the World Cup (qualification). This team has potential, can do much better. Against Uzbekistan, we lacked a little bit of concentration. It's true that other teams just defended (against the hosts) but if we want to improve, that's not the right strategy. Our focus was on playing good football. Only then can we grow,' said Gawli, whose side started the tournament with a gritty win against Syria.The AFC U-20 Asian Cup China 2027 will take place from March 24 to April 10. Sixteen of the best teams from the continent will jostle for the four FIFA World Cup spots.'We will have to play more international matches, against stronger teams, to see where we stand and how we can get better. It will be bigger, tougher, and quite an experience for the boys. The AIFF has been very helpful all along. I am certain we will have the best preparations,' said Gawli.