India enter quarterfinals of AFC U-16 Championship, first time in 16 years

India entered the quarterfinals of the AFC U-16 Championship for the first time in 16 years after playing out a goalless draw with Indonesia here Thursday, continuing the string of encouraging results in recent times.

India ended their Group C engagements with five points from three matches. Their previous best performance came way back in 2002, when they finished the group stage with four points.

With the draw, India finished runners-up in the group, and are likely to face Korea Republic in the next stage.

Head coach Bibiano Fernandes termed the moment "special for Indian football fans".

"We have worked really hard to get where we are and we are very happy with our performance in the group stages. The boys gave their cent percent on the field and we played according to our plan."
Referring to the qualification to the quarters, Bibiano said, "This is a special moment for each and every one back home. The credit goes to all my staff, the grassroots coaches who tutored these kids at a young age, and my players for putting in the hard work day in and day out."