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An aerial view of the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, also known as Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, which was one of the main venues for the 2017 FIFA Under-17 World Cup. Twenty six new training sites were put up in the six venues of the recent U-17 event and one hopes that they would be made use of to hone local talent.

Time to kick our football long and hard!

02 Nov 2017 16:45 IST

Now with the lights dimmed at the Salt Lake Stadium and the confetti cleared post the nightly revelries of October 28, the arduous voyage to reshape India’s football destiny begins.

The England team with the FIFA Under-17 World Cup.

Under-17 World Cup in numbers

02 Nov 2017 17:26 IST

13,47,133: Total attendance recorded across six venues and 52 games, making this edition the most-attended U-17 World Cup in history, bettering the ...

England's Philip Foden (7) celebrates with his team-mates after scoring his second goal of the final in Kolkata on Saturday.

England makes feisty comeback to clinch FIFA U-17 World Cup

28 Oct 2017 22:20 IST

The Three Lions youngsters handed Spain a humiliating 5-2 defeat in the final at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on Saturday.

Brazil's Alan celebrates with team-mates after scoring the first goal against Mali in the FIFA U-17 World Cup match for the third place at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata.

FIFA U-17 WC: Bronze for Brazil

28 Oct 2017 19:56 IST

A moment of fortuitous break, exploited by the team’s playmaker Alan, put the South American champion ahead in the 55th minute of the third place playoff match against Mali in the FIFA under-17 World Cup, before substitute Yuri Alberto added one more, two minutes from the whistle to ensure a winning end to the South American champion's Indian campaign.

England players during their practice session on the eve of the FIFA U-17 World Cup final match against Spain at the Salt Lake stadium in Kolkata.

England vs Spain: Who will colonise whom?

27 Oct 2017 19:22 IST

The FIFA Under-17 World Cup final promises a free-flowing but a tactically nuanced encounter which will often see interchanging of positions and systems as the teams figure ways to assert their dominance.

Spain coach Santiago Denia (left) and his English counterpart Steve Cooper.

FIFA U-17 WC Final: Coaches cautious in approach

27 Oct 2017 20:30 IST

While Spanish coach Santiago Denia said his team would look to play to its strengths, Steve Cooper, his English counterpart, said, his players will try to stay humble and play according to the plan and system.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino (left) and AIFF president Praful Patel share a light moment during an interaction with media at the FIFA Council meeting in Kolkata, on Friday, on the eve of the FIFA U-17 World Cup final.

Infantino: I have a feeling that India is a football country

27 Oct 2017 19:36 IST

“I am happy with how the FIFA Under-17 World Cup has been perceived by the population here,” the FIFA president said.

The total number of spectators to attend the World Cup is currently at 12,24,027, with a mere 6,949 needed to emulate the earlier record of 12,30,976 that was set in the first edition of the tournament in China in 1985.

FIFA U-17 WC: India edition set to be most-attended, highest-scoring edition in history

26 Oct 2017 14:33 IST

With two matches left in the FIFA U-17 World Cup, the current edition is set to become the most attended U-17 World Cup ever, along with registering the highest number of goals scored as well.

"In the second half we played well and tried to use our pace in the final 15 minutes but that's football for you" said Mali coach Jonas Komla.

FIFA U-17 WC: Mali remains upbeat in defeat

26 Oct 2017 00:22 IST

"We are among the top four teams in the world (in this age group) so I can't be disappointed with the tournament," Mali coach Jonas Komla said after his team crashed out of the FIFA U-17 World Cup semifinal.

The quarterfinal between Ghana and Mali was played in the same stadium in similar unplaying conditions.

FIFA U-17 WC: Guwahati semifinal shifted

23 Oct 2017 17:41 IST

The semifinal has been shifted to Kolkata after Brazil complained about the playing conditions.

Brazil's Paulinho (7) and Lincoln celebrate after winning the FIFA U-17 World Cup quarterfinal match against Germany at the Salt Lake stadium in Kolkata on Sunday.

FIFA U-17 WC: Brazil makes a spectacular comeback against Germany

22 Oct 2017 23:05 IST

Brazil turned the match around on its head with a spectacular comeback after the break with substitute Weverson finding the equaliser before Paulinho ensured the victory with a pile-driver.

Spain’s Sergio Gomez (No.10) celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal against Iran during the FIFA U-17 World Cup football match at Nehru Stadium in Kochi.

FIFA U-17 WC: Impressive Spain sinks Iran to enter semifinal

22 Oct 2017 20:01 IST

On a balmy Sunday evening at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium, the Iranian coach was proved right as an impressive Spain poked holes in his side’s defensive gameplan to chalk out a 3-1 win to enter the semifinals.

England's Rhian Brewster (9) celebrates his second goal with team-mate Morgan Gibbs White (19), during the FIFA Under-17 World Cup quarterfinal match against USA, played at Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Fatorda stadium, Margao on Saturday.

FIFA U-17 WC: Brewster hat-trick sends England into semis

21 Oct 2017 22:56 IST

England produced yet another breathtaking attacking display, dismantling USA 4-1 to enter the semifinals of the Under-17 World Cup. This is England’s maiden entry into the last four at this level.

Mali captain Mohamed Camara (6) and forward Lassana N’Diaye (19) being tackled by Ghana players (in red) in the quarterfinal of the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Guwahati on Saturday.

FIFA U-17 WC: Mali outwits Ghana to enter semifinals

21 Oct 2017 22:00 IST

Mali overcame slushy conditions to better a tough-playing Ghana 2-1 and ensure a semifinal ticket in the FIFA Under-17 World Cup.

The German offensive revolves round the skills of the Hamburg recruit Jann-Fiete Arp (R), while Brazil's goal-scoring task will be assigned to its four-pronged attacking line consisting of Lincoln, Paulinho Brenner and play-maker Alan.

FIFA U-17 WC: Brazil takes on Germany in the WC's most exciting clash

21 Oct 2017 21:54 IST

The FIFA Under-17 World Cup clash between Brazil and Germany has drawn a huge interest over the question whether the creativity of ‘Selecao’ will be scoring over the tactical efficiency of the ‘Nationalelf’.

Iran’s Younes Delfi (right) will miss the quarterfinal due to suspension.

FIFA U-17 WC: High-flying Iran seeks the improbable against Spain

21 Oct 2017 18:43 IST

Iran, which qualified for the quarterfinals for the first time, will be playing against an opponent that has steadily improved as the tournament has progressed.

Baichung Bhutia was among the former Indian footballers to get felicitated during the FIFA Under-17 World Cup opener in New Delhi on October 6.

PK Banerjee hits out at FIFA LOC for ignoring former India footballers

21 Oct 2017 15:57 IST

He also hit out at the local organising committee for adopting a ‘lottery system’ to distribute tickets among former footballers.

Mali players prepare for their quarterfinal clash against Ghana, at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati on Friday.

FIFA U-17 WC: In-form Mali takes on Ghana in West African duel

20 Oct 2017 22:19 IST

Mali has been better in attack while Ghana has been more resolute in defending. Ghana’s progress has not been as spectacular as Mali but the team has managed a good defensive record, conceding just one goal in four matches.

USA football team attends a training session at Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Fatorda stadium, in Goa on Friday.

FIFA U-17 WC: USA, England go to battle on equal footing

20 Oct 2017 23:15 IST

USA striker Tim Weah has found his touch at a crucial time, scoring a fantastic hat-trick against Paraguay. On the other hand, England coach Steve Cooper has lost his key player Jadon Sancho at a crucial time, who has gone back to Dortmund to play in the UEFA youth league!

England coach Steve Cooper (left) and USA coach John Hackworth attend a media briefing.

FIFA U-17 WC: Coaches of England, USA weigh in on their chances

21 Oct 2017 01:57 IST

England manager Steve Cooper said that he wants to test his squad against the best. The USA coach John Hackworth insisted that the team has worked hard and was ready to challenge England.