THE BLOG BY CPD FOOTBALL | The World of Indian football and beyond by Chris Punnakkattu Daniel

Chile coach Hernán Caputto: India U-17s are a very competitive team

India U-17 national team (Photo courtesy: AIFF Media)

Following ten-man India U-17 World Cup Squad’s 1-1 draw against Chile U-17s in the last match of the Torneo de 4 Naciones held in Mexico City, Mexico on August 6, 2017, Chile’s Head Coach Hernán Caputto lavished heavy praise on the Indian colts.

“India is a very competitive team. Its coach Luís Norton de Matos has given the team an interesting model of play, with players that are fast and technically sound. It was a very difficult match, the way India approached the match was very interesting”, Caputto said.

“We started 1-0, we had some chances, but India came out and started putting pressure on us with very fast transitions and in a counterattack they scored.”

Chile had taken the lead in the 40th minute but Nongdamba Naorem’s 82nd minute strike equalized proceedings. Shortly after, Aniket was sent off in the 84th minute. Despite being, a man down the Indian U-17 national team pressed for the decisive goal but could not find any as the full-time scoreline read 1-1.

“It was deserving, India is a team that will compete and will make their country proud, you can tell there is a lot of work from Luis and what he has achieved with the players”, Caputto concluded.

(AIFF Media)