Suman Chakravorty & Sabyasachi Bagchi: Indian U17 colts’ journey in the FIFA U17 World Cup came to an end last night after they lost their final group league game against Ghana 4-0. The hosts conceded 9 goals in their three group league games but India U17 football team coach Luis Norton de Matos looked pleased with his team’s performance. He even said that his boys can play better football than the India senior football team any day.
“My open challenge to the Indian senior team as well, if we play against them my team will be having the best results,” said Matos after the match.
Matos backed his boys by saying that they gave their everything throughout the tournament.
“Our team knew tonight that after 2 hard games at this level it would be harder to play against Ghana, the strongest team of this group. African teams in general are strong at this level. Their players are fast and strong and Ghana showed that tonight as well.”
On being asked why Komal was not in the playing XI in either of the last two encounters of Group A, Matos angrily replied,”I don’t talk about individuals. But If you think Komal with his physicality would have fared well against big teams like Ghana and Colombia, you are a very good coach.”
According to Matos, the young guns badly need the experience in both club and national team. “The boys have made progress but we need to invest in them. They need to play in the I-League. The level between India and the world is huge. Indian Super League teams go to Europe and lose 4-0 to Spanish 4th division teams; that’s the reality. These young boys need more experience.
“It’s not a question of hope; I know these boys will create something special in the future,” Matos concluded.