AGENCY
Bambolim: Already out of the tournament after suffering three consecutive defeats, hosts India now face an uphill task to avoid a clean sweep as they face Brazil in their last match of the BRICS U-17 football tournament at GMC Stadium.
Despite putting up good performances against Russia, South Africa and China, India are yet to open their account in the tournament and are at the bottom of the points table.
Indian colts played well in all the three games but they lacked in finishing. But it would be a Herculean task for the Indians against fancy Brazil, who are leading the table with an all-win record and are regarded as favourites to win the tournament. India’s coach Nicolai Adam is happy with the way the team has played against Russia and South Africa but he expressed disappointment over his wards performance against China in the last match.
“The boys proved their competitiveness in the tournament. Although the team is still a work in progress and not the final result. We matched equally against Russia and South Africa. Had our boys capitalise the chances that came their way the result would have been different. That is a good sign as the boys are preparing for next year’s U-17 World Cup which will me more tough,” he said. “But against China I was little disappointed as some of our key players lost composure and could not utilise the chances that came their way. We dominated the mnatch and should have won (against China),” stated Adam.
“It is an important match against Brazil tomorrow as it will prove our competitiveness. It is going to be a learning lesson for the boys who will be up against a team of high quality footballers. It’s a good opportunity to learn from them who have high individual quality and play one touch football,” he added.
