Sports fraternity heaps loads of praises on Indian U17 football team | Image: XtraTime
Internet Desk: The applauds are pouring in from every nook and cranny of the country for the Indian U17 football team who wrote a new historic chapter in Indian Football by overpowering the mighty Italy U17 National Team yesterday. The victory was the first time when an Indian team defeated Italy in the history of the game in the country. The likes of Komal Thatal, Abhijit Sarkar and Rahul Praveen were all top of their game to outplay the European super-power. Today, www.xtratime.in spoke with the legends of Indian football to get their reaction after such an emphatic victory.
Chuni Goswami: This has been an incredible feat. I read the news in the newspaper today and became delighted. Beating Italy is something huge for Indian football. I am highly excited about the Bengali lad Abhijit Sarkar, not only because he scored the goal but also for the information I have got about him. Those players, who can dribble well, are rare in numbers. I have heard his dribbling skills and ball control and I’m looking forward to watch him in the U17 FIFA World Cup. But he should remember that it’s just the start and he needs to take his game to the next level to do justice to his talent.
Bhaskar Ganguly: Beating Italy at any level is a monumental task. The result deserves a lot of respect and applauds. I can remember that in 1982, I was the captain of the Indian team when we played the Nehru Cup and most probably we lost the game by a goal. but we realized the strength of an Italian side in that game. I heard a Bengali lad named Abhijit Sarkar scored against Italy and played wonderfully well. Best wishes to him. At the same time, I want to remind them the fact that a practice match and a competitive mach are completely different. They should work harder. My wishes and prayer will be with them.
IM Vijayan: The win against a team like Italy shows that we are heading towards the right direction. The new Portuguese coach has made a positive impact. It was our committee who selected him as the coach after Nicolai resigned. The best thing which pleased about him was the approach. He is a great guy who treats all his players like his own kids. In the youth level, to become a good coach, you need to be a father figure. At the time of the appointment, Luis Norton told us that there was still enough time for the preparation and he was confident that the team has the quality to do well. The results against Sporting Lisbon and Italy are reflecting his brilliance. I’m also excited about the young Abhijit Sarkar and Komal Thatal. Abhijit belongs to Kolkata and compare to the other parts of the country, they are always extra skillful. The first time when I saw IM Vijayan, I became dumbfounded, such was his skills. I’ll just be hoping that the team will continue their good work and listen to what their coach is saying.
After the famous win, be it the flamboyant cricketer Virender Sehwag or an ardent football fan Abhishek Bachchan- everyone praised the youngsters through their social media accounts.
Shri Vijay Goel, Minister of States, Youth Affairs & Sports always expresses himself through the social media and yesterday was no exception either.
“Great day! #India U-17 #football team defeats #Italy 2-0! Well done boys, proud of you all!”
Shri Praful Patel, President, All India Football Federation pats on the boys’ shoulders and surely his words would instil more vigour amongst them.
“First entering the 100 club & now India’s U-17 Team beats Italy’s U-17 Football Team. Way to go @IndianFootball #FIFAU17WC“
Aditya Thackeray comes out loud in support of Indian Football and time and again AIFF has expressed their gratitude towards this youthful vibrant leader.
The Mumbai-based leader urged everyone to watch the match before the kick-off and the avid football fan was following the action as it unfolded.
After Matos’ boys secured the victory, he could not hold his emotion back and congratulated the boys wholeheartedly.
“Huge boost for India! @IndianFootball team of U17 lads won against Italy’s Football Team of U17 2-0! Congratulations #IndianFootball“
He added more: “This win is a big win for India and a boost before the U17 World Cup in India! @IndianFootball”
The Delhi-born maverick batsman Virender Sehwag who guided India to the final of ICC Cricket World Cup 2003 and won the same 8 years later, is an active Twitterati person.
Virender Sehwag, in his signature tone, took up the opportunity to praise the boys as well.
“Yaay! We have beaten Italy. Congratulations to the under 17 @IndianFootball on the spectacular victory. Italy
ki idli ban gayi !”
Incidentally, a giant-size football was unveiled at the Connaught Place in New Delhi at the wake of the upcoming FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017 by Shri Vijay Goel, Minister of States, Youth Affairs & Sports; Shri Biren Singh, Chief Minister, Manipur; Vijender Singh, Pro-pugilist and 2008 Beijing Olympics Bronze medalist; Md. Kaif, ex-International Cricketer.
The ace fielder and Middle-order batsman termed this win as a “great occasion” and “historic.”
“What a great occasion this! Congratulations to the boys. Indeed historic.”
Even the Mumbai Film Industry didn’t mince their words eulogising the colts who pulled off the heroics last night.
Abhishek Bachchan, an ardent football fan, symbolised this victory as “a sign of things to come.”
“Many congratulations to our Indian U-17 boys football team who beat Italy 2:0 today. Hope this is a sign of things to come. BleedBlue“
Stephen Constantine praised the entire team for the wonderful victory against the Azzurri.
“Great result lads well done to the entire team”, was what he tweeted yesterday following the 2-0 victory.
‘AIFF Player of the Year 2016’ Jeje Lalpekhlua who is going to hit the pitch tomorrow for Mohun Bagan in their quest for the second consecutive Hero Federation Cup, congratulated the boys for their astounding feat.
The lanky defender Sandesh Jhingan and Gurpreet Singh Sandhu also heaped their praises for the colts.
“Congratulations to our u-17 Indian Football team for this inspirational win, keep working hard and more results like this will come.My best wishes”, was what Sandesh’s twitter handle read yesterday.
Sunil Chhetri, who has already embossed his name as the highest scorer on the national colours for India, tweeted: “Big result last night for our @IndianFootball U17s against Italy. Keep working hard and miracles will happen boys!”
Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, who has an all-win record as the National Team skipper until now, put a cosy picture of himself along with the U-17 squad on his official twitter handle and wrote:”Good win for the Indian Football U-17 team against Italy U-17, im not surprised by it because i know these boys have the fight in them”
The Asian Football Confederation lavished their praises for the Indian colts which would surely motivate them to scale a newer height in the near future.”A great result – well played India!”
