FIFA U17 WC: Frustrated, but proud of boys' commitment, says India coach

“I am satisfied with the collective performance of the boys but definitely I am not happy with the result,” Norton said at the post-match Press Conference.

Published : Oct 06, 2017 22:53 IST , New Delhi

Coach Luis Norton de Matos reacts during India's match against USA in the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in New Delhi.
Coach Luis Norton de Matos reacts during India's match against USA in the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in New Delhi.
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Coach Luis Norton de Matos reacts during India's match against USA in the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in New Delhi.

India’s 3-0 drubbing in the hands of a much superior USA left the national coach Luis Norton de Matos frustrated, but proud of his boys' commitment. “I am satisfied with the collective performance of the boys but definitely I am not happy with the result,” he said at the post-match Press Conference.

Read: India vs USA match report

Reiterating the point from his pre-match media interaction, Norton went on to add: “There is a big gap between our Team and other Teams in our group. We conceded a stupid goal in the first half. At half-time, it was very much possible to overturn the game. The ambience was perfect.”

Reacting to a comment about the ultra defensive nature of the side, Norton said: “What you call defensive, I call well organised.”

Echoing his Indian counterpart's sentiments, John Hackworth, the USA coach, said: “India played well. They were extremely organised, hard to break and were effective on the counter. Credit goes to India for stretching us so much in the game.”

Ruing the lack of luck, especially with Anwar Ali’s strike hitting the post with six regulation minutes to play, Norton said the game would have been different if India had reduced the margin. “At 2-1 the game would have been different. The USA would have looked at defending their lead and we would have had the chance to play more freely and look for the equaliser. But they played more expansively as they had a two-goal cushion and were duly rewarded,” he said. “We were more confident in the second half. For Indian players, the experience of playing in the World Cup will help them in the long run. And hopefully we will present a more confident performance in our next game.”

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