Internet Desk : Indian football icon Bhaichung Bhutia, who is also an advisor to the AIFF, suggested that IFA Shield should also hold a tournament for the U-17 keeping in mind of the FIFA World Cup next year.
“I would request them to have just one year for U-17 age group as they will play the World Cup next year. It would be really nice if LG could come with a bigger package for just one year in 2017. If possible make it an international tournament,” Bhutia said unveiling the LG IFA Shield U-19 tournament here.
“If possible we can invite teams from the nations who have qualified from Europe and South Africa to make it International… when it comes to age group tournament, we don’t have any International tournament. This is a big opportunity for us I feel.
Bhutia feels East Bengal, Mohun Bagan as well as Bengaluru FC are the contenders for winning the league. Bhaichung was quoted saying that the recruitment of Bernard Mendy in the East Bengal squad will be a huge boost for East Bengal. But East Bengal from here should not lose a single point in any of the 11 matches remaining because the I-league has become too short this time as the number of matches have decreased. Bhaichung added Mohun Bagan’s loss in the AFC Champions League match against Shandong will not hamper their I-league preparations as both the leagues are different and Mohun bagan is in a very good shape in the I-league not losing any of the matches till now. They are unbeaten with 3 wins and 1 draw against arch rivals East Bengal. Bhaichung later said Mohun Bagan’s result in AFC Champions league match against Shandong would not have been so poor if they would have reached China a lot earlier and got accustomed with the conditions who knows result could have been better.