New Delhi: History will be made when India make their World Cup debut at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium, Delh, in their first match against USA in Group A of the FIFA U-17 World Cup. The Indian colts led by captain Amarjit Singh Kiyam will become the first ever Indian team to play in a FIFA organised tournament.
The Indian team come on the back of a good preparation having played over 100 games in four continents, that includes matches against Mexico, Colombia, Benfica among others.
But on paper USA looks the stronger team with much more experience and quality in their side. The South American colts representing their country for the 15th time in World Cup will also have a lot to play for, with just a fourth place finish in 1999, their best ever result.
Talking of past records, India played USA in the AIFF Youth Cup in Goa last year. They lost the match 4-0 and could have coped more had USA been more sharp. But, the World Cup game is altogether a different competition.
USA coach John Hackworth echoed just that when he said, “We’ve played India once before, we were successful against them. But it wasn’t in the opening game of the World Cup, it wasn’t them hosting a World Cup. My feeling is that, and from the information I’ve heard, there’s going to be a very loud crowd.”
He further added, “They (India) are incredibly athletic and hard-working team. We are going to have to beat the host country in the opening game and that is a difficult challenge.”
India, despite being the underdogs cannot be written off. Playing under the new Portuguese coach Luis Norton De Matos, the boys in blue have improved a lot and will count on the little chances that come their way.
“We know we have a small percentage of winning against the US but you never know what will happen in a game of football,” said De Matos. “We will prepare well for this small percentage and try to make these small possibilities count.”
USA with a striker like Josh Sargant, who despite being only 17, has already played the U-20 World Cup will look to attack from all ends and put the Indian team on the back-foot with an opening goal.
But, De Matos is already with a plan to stop him. “They (USA) will be strong in attack and we have to prepare to counter their attack. We have to be strong in defence,” he opinionated.
Meanwhile, Indian hopes will rely on the Aniket Jadhav- Kamal Thatal duo to lead them in attack against a team that is said to have one of the most talented U-17 team this year. The home team will also miss right-back Boris Singh who has been suspended for this match. In his absence Sanjeev Stalin, Anwar Ali and the USA based Namit Deshpande will have to hold strong in front of the goalkeeper Dheeraj Singh.
Ghana vs Colombia
On the other match in Group A, two time Champions Ghana will take on Colombia who are returning after a gap of eight years. Ghana on the other hand last played in 2007, where they finished earned a fourth-place finish.
Disrupted by injuries the African leaders have already undergone fair amount of changes in the team but as coach Paa Kwesi Fabin said, “We are still the leaders of Africa as far as I am concerned and it is my belief the world will see it in this tournament.”
Colombia as seen in their match against Minerva Punjab play a more possession based game and with huge number of crosses from the two side backs, forward Santiago Barrero will get lots of opportunity to head in a ball. Ghana on the other hand play a more attacking game with striker Eric Ayiah upfront, who has a already made a reputation back in Africa.
Ghana vs Colombia – 5:00 p.m.
India vs United States of America – 8:00 p.m.
Live On: SONY TEN 2, SONY TEN 2 HD, SONY ESPN, SONY ESPN HD for English commentary
SONY TEN 3, SONY TEN 3 HD and DD Sports for Hindi Commentary.