Mumbai: FIFA legends Carlos Valderrama and Marcel Desailly advised the Indian colts Wednesday to view the upcoming FIFA U-17 World Cup as a huge opportunity to shine on the international stage and perform to their potential.
“It’s a huge opportunity for the Indian U-17 team. If you want to go to Real Madrid, then this is your opportunity. All the big scouts and agents will be watching, so grab this chance. This is the moment to shine and stand out,” said Valderrama, who played for Colombia and dazzled the world with his ball skills in the 1980s.
“The Indian team playing at home is something very special. They should be prepared physically and psychologically very well because it is tough to handle pressure playing on home soil,” said French World Cup winner Desailly.
“We won the World Cup in 1998 on home soil because we were able to convert that pressure into positive energy on the field and have that extra performance,” he added while talking to reporters at the D Y Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.
Nigerian great Emmanuel Amuneke echoed similar views. “The U-17 boys need to believe in themselves. I haven’t seen them play, so won’t be able to comment on the talent. If they can prove themselves and believe in their ability as a team, they would create a plethora of openings for them,” said the man who was once also the coach of the Nigerian under-17 squad.
The team of five FIFA legends comprising Amuneke, Valderrama, Desailly, Spaniard Fernando Morientes and Mexican Jorge Campos, beat an Indian select 5-4 in an exhibition match played here to start the 30-day countdown for the FIFA U-17 World Cup.
Asked how the AIFF should take the U17 team ahead after the mega event, Desailly and Morientes emphasised on the basics.
“It is a tough programme. You have to create infrastructure, have good coaches that will serve around the players who enable them to understand and read the game,” said Desailly.
