New Delhi: In spite of the U-17 team losing all their three matches in Group A, the AIFF has decided to retain coach Louis Norton de Matos for some more time. This decision was taken by top officials after a meeting with De Matos, late Friday evening.
According to information available from various AIFF sources, De Matos has been asked to take charge of the AIFF U-19 nation side for the AFC qualifiers. India will play their first game against Saudi Arabia, November 4.
Matos has informed the AIFF that he wants to conduct a week-long camp either at Mumbai or Goa to prepare for the tournament. The probables will comprise of a majority of the U-17 players who took part in the World Cup and 12 members of the present U-19 Indian squad.
Matos will also be in charge of the AIFF youth team, who will play the I-League this season. The AIFF had offered majority of the U-17 players a new contract to play in the event. However, so far only 12 have signed. Sources stated that some of the top I-League clubs have already offered five players lucrative deals to turn out in their jerseys. Hence one shouldn’t be surprised, if some of them leave the AIFF fold.
Agencies
