Keen on implementing a “foolproof” scouting network for the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup, Nicolai Adam, Head Coach India U-17 National Team has decided to play a series of exhibition matches against selected State Association Teams.

“We have confirmation for the first exhibition match to find more talented players,” Nicolai confirmed to AIFF Media. “The match will be played on December 21 against a combined Maharashtra XI at the Cooperage,” he informed.

Besides, Nicolai’s squad will also be playing more exhibition matches, two of which have already been confirmed.

“We will be playing against a combined IFA XI on January 25 and then proceed to play against a combined North East XI some days later,” Abhishek Yadav, AIFF’s Director of Scouting further informed.

This entire process is in addition to the second phase of ongoing scouting process which is being conducted by AIFF in association with its Member State Associations.

“We appreciate the efforts of the State Associations to find the best players to represent the U-17 Indian National Team in the World Cup. To make it foolproof, we decided to play these matches. If any outstanding player catches our eye, we will immediately send him for medical tests and rope him into the squad,” Yadav who scored India’s match-winner in the LG Cup Final in 2002, stated.

“We are specifically looking for 2000 born kids to play these exhibition matches and also for the second phase of scouting,” he added.

Despite being automatic qualifiers by virtue of being hosts for the AFC U-16 Championship Finals to be held in India in 2016, Nicolai’s squad qualified on merit for the same.

“I am really thankful to the State Associations for their cooperation. WIFA and IFA have been so supportive and helped us to fix dates as soon as we expressed our intent to play these matches,” Yadav pronounced.

“These matches also serve as an ideal platform for the State Associations to select their U-15 State side by playing against the best in the country. The AIFF is committed to provide opportunity to players so that no one misses out.”

(Report & Photo courtesy AIFF Media)