With less than a week to go for India first match against USA in the FIFA U-17 World Cup, India's head coach Luis Norton de Matos wants the young colts to enjoy every moment of the mega event.
“Liberty and responsibility is what I believe in”, Matos said. “The capacity of taking decisions is what football is all about along with enjoying every moment of playing on the pitch”
“The level of the Indian U-17s is very high and I want them to enjoy every moment they play in the World Cup. At the same time, we will fight as we want to show the world that we belong on the same page as them”. After a pause, the Portuguese coach further added, “All games are winnable in football”
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India is drawn in Group A with USA, Colombia and Ghana, and Colombia. The Indian team and the Colombian team are practicing at the same training ground — the Conscient Football ground in Gurugram.
“We have nothing to lose and we have everything to win. If we can show the world that we belong on the same page as them, then we have a victory in that. The World Cup is a big moment for Indian Football and I am glad to be a part of it”, Matos added.
“We have a destiny in life and I think coming here to India was mine. My great-grandfather was born here and I always heard about India back in Portugal hence it is an amazing feeling to be here, associated with a keynote in Indian football’s history.”
Team captain Amarjit Singh Kiyam said his players were ready to give their all in the first ever FIFA tournament in the country.
“There is no pressure on us nor are we nervous. We are confident of doing well in the tournament. We are playing in the first FIFA World Cup and we are ready to put our lives to do well for the country,” he said.
“The preparations have been very good and we are looking forward to the tournament. We have seen videos of how United States (first match opponents) play. Anything can happen in a game of football and we will give out best to win matches,” he added.
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The Indian Colts face the USA on October 6, before locking horns against Colombia and Ghana on October 9 and October 12 respectively at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi. The kick-off for all matches is at IST 8 PM.
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