New Delhi: Football minnows India stand on the cusp of history as the hosts are set to make their debut in a FIFA event against a formidable USA in a Group A match of the U-17 World Cup, which begins here Friday.
India qualified automatically for the event as hosts. They have prepared well with the AIFF sending the players for training tours in Europe and a tournament in Mexico but the home side are clear underdogs in the game against USA.
Most of the American players ply their trade in Major League Soccer youth teams and a couple of them are set to play in top European clubs as well.
India would enjoy the home advantage and captain Amarjit Singh and his teammates have promised to be competitive at the showpiece event. The feat of playing in India’s first-ever FIFA tournament should spur them to give more than a 100% on the field.
De Matos has no illusions about the tough times ahead. Even though he has said ‘every game is winnable’, he clarified Thursday that the emphasis will be on defence and India would bank on counter-attacks to surprise the opposition.
India would depend on the defensive qualities of centre-backs Anwar Ali and Jitendra Singh, the midfield expertise of Jeakson Singh and skipper Amarjit Singh and the speed of Komal Thatal and Aniket Jadhav upfront.
De Matos conceded that USA are a strong attacking unit. “They (USA) will be strong in attack and we have to prepare to counter their attack. We have to be strong in defence,” de Matos said.
USA have stars like captain and striker Josh Sargent who will sign with Bundesliga club Werder Bremen next February when he turns 18. Then there is attacking midfielder Tim Weah, son of former FIFA ‘World Player of the Year’ and Liberia great George Weah. He signed with Paris Saint Germain earlier this year.
US head coach John Hackworth has, however, refused to take India likely in their opening match. “We’ve played India once before, we were successful against them. But it wasn’t in the opening game of World Cup, it wasn’t them hosting a World Cup. My feeling is that, and from information I’ve heard, there’s going to be a loud crowd,” Hackworth said.
“They (India) are incredibly athletic and hard-working team. We are going to have to beat them in the opening game and that is a difficult challenge,” Hackworth added.
Top dignitaries for India game
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, FIFA general secretary Fatma Samoura and head of FIFA tournaments Jaime Yarza will be amongst the spectators on the inaugural day match between host India and the United States in the U-17 World Cup here Friday. Modi will deliver the inaugural address. There will however, be no formal inauguration ceremony as FIFA does not want the attention to be diverted from football. Indian football greats, IM Vijayan, Bhaichung Bhutia and current national team captain Sunil Chhetri are also likely to be a part of the historical moment.
Agencies
