India U-17 national team (Photo courtesy: AIFF Media)
As part of the All India Football Federation’s efforts to field a strong India U-17 National Team in the first ever FIFA World Cup to be hosted in India, the FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017, the Indian colts participated in a Four-Nation Tournament (Torneo de 4 Naciones) held in Mexico City, Mexico.
India clashed swords against Mexico, Colombia, and Chile in the tournament. While the Indian team lost 1-5 and 0-3 against Mexico and Colombia respectively, the colts came from behind to hold Chile to a 1-1 draw with a man down.
“We learned and gained experience when we played against teams which are at a higher level as compared to us in the form of Mexico, Colombia, and Chile,” said India U-17 Head Coach Luís Norton de Matos.
“Against Mexico we were fighting for victory till the end but two back to back goals which we conceded late in the match made the result seem like very contrasting.”
“I was very satisfied in seeing the Indian team play at various times during the matches we had in the Four-Nation Tournament. We played like equals against better teams in the tournament,” Matos stated.
India have been drawn into Group A of the FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017 along with USA, Colombia and Ghana. The FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017 kicks-off on October 6, 2017.
(AIFF Media)