Chilean U-17 coach: 'Chak De India was inspiring'

Chilean U-17 coach Hernan Caputo, who's training with his boys in a private club in Kolkata talks about his team's preparation, watching <i>Chak de India</i> and more.

Published : Oct 02, 2017 21:51 IST , Kolkata

Representative image.
Representative image.
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Representative image.

With less than a week left for the FIFA under-17 World Cup Group F matches to kick off here, members of the Chile side were accommodative to entertain requests from the mediapersons who waited outside the training venue (a private club) for hours on Monday.

Coming from a football country and having hosted the previous edition of the event, the Chileans were understandably welcoming.

"I am sorry. Since it is a private club you have to do the interaction here (on the pavement)," said a member of the Chilean side after doing 'namaste'.

The coach, Hernan Caputo, was patient enough to give an interview on the roadside. He said the strengths of his boys would help Chile, which reached here on Sunday and had its first training session on Monday, secure a memorable outing in India. "Watching the film Chak De India was inspiring. We want to do 'Chak de Chile'," said Caputo while sharing facts about his team's preparations.

"We feel at home in Kolkata," Caputo said, "We have been preparing for the last six months. It has gone well so far. But it is an under-17 side and that is a big issue."

According to Caputo, Chile, which qualified after 20 years, does not take any opponent lightly. "All teams are difficult and we have to prepare well for each side." Chile, which had a last-16 finish when it hosted the event two years ago, has brought in four new players and is trying to get the best combinations in place.

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