FIFA U-17 World Cup

Ready to make history tomorrow: India coach Matos

u-17-fifa-team-india The U-17 Indian team | Arvind Jain

There has been a series of press meets and interactions in the run-up to India's campaign in the FIFA U-17 World Cup and host India's coach Luís Norton de Matos has been underlining the importance of looking beyond the tournament if India wants to build solid structures in the game. However, for now, it's about Indian football embarking on a historic journey. Can they make it a memorable one? According to coach Matos, the boys are ready and raring to go. “Its a big event for India to participate in—for the first time in a world cup. We are very excited. We worked very hard. There is no history of playing in world cup in Indian football. This is the first step, the moment to build the future on. I am very excited to be part of this process.”

India will take on United States of America in their opener. It will be a David versus Goliath as the stars and stripes team has 15 world cup appearances behind them. Needless to say the hosts are the underdogs of the event with no cup history to boast of. Said Matos, “USA, Ghana and Colombia are big teams, have football culture, know how to prepare for a game. Their players know very well what they will find tomorrow when they play. But football is also a game where you never know what happens in the game...We will fight for this little possibility, we will fight very hard. We would like to make history for Indian football tomorrow.”

He urged home fans to back their young and inexperienced team as that was crucial to the team's performance. “Tomorrow we will play with 12 players—11 of our team plus one that includes all the public. Its important the public supports the team till the last minute,” he said.

The boys in blue practiced under lights at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, all decked up to host the country's biggest footballing extravaganza till date. Suddenly, the camera persons had doubled, the flurry of questions increased. All India Football Federation president Praful Patel dropped in for a photo opportunity ahead of the team's training. Their media session was an extended one, given that the home team was under the obvious limelight.

While talking specifically of USA's strengths, Matos highlighted their attacking style of play. “They are strong on all counts. They have an attacking philosophy and as a coach, I would have to find the solutions. The team has worked very hard in training and I hope it translates onto the pitch. Seargent, Weah, Carleton are all very strong players. They are physical and work very hard, so we have to try and work harder. ”

USA Coach John Hackworth refused to take India lightly and said India is a very hard-working team."We had played them in India two years back. The result was in our favour but it wasn't indicative of the manner they play. I am sure they have improved in last one year. We will go into this match with lots of respect for India. We have to face not just the team but also the environment and the setting,” he said, indicating the importance of home support and the heat and humid conditions prevailing presently in the capital.

Meanwhile, India will go in without key defender Boris Singh Thangjam who faces a suspension. Asked who the coach will play in his place, Matos refused to divulge his replacement players but said he was ready for this eventuality. “When I signed up as coach of the Indian team I knew Boris couldn't play the game. We have two different solutions and have worked very hard on them. The players are ready for this job.”

It will be a nervy 24 hours for his players before they step onto the pitch. Aware that suddenly all the focus was on his young wards, Matos said the team was being mentally coached to be ready and fighting fit for the challenge they will face tomorrow. We have worked hard on mental coaching to try keep the pressure off. This should be a moment players should never forget in their lives. They should enjoy every moment. Don't lose their head and concentrate. If they give their 100 per cent, keep discipline, they can make a good game.”

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