Brazil eye Cup title at majestic venue

Kolkata: Brazil’s Under-17 football team coach Carlos Amadeu wants to reclaim the Fifa U-17 World Cup title after a hiatus of 14 years at the majestic Salt Lake Stadium here on October 28. Having visited India and the revamped stadium during the World Cup draw, Amadeu said he dreams of lifting the glittering silverware here.

“I’ve heard about the football madness in Kolkata and I’ve been there. It is a huge stadium with a beautiful history. Since I was there I’m dreaming about the final. I wish we could get the trophy there,” Amadeu said after landing in Mumbai early on Tuesday. The U-17 World Cup title has eluded Brazil since 2003. Having won the title thrice in the past, the South American country are just behind title holders and four-time champions Nigeria, who failed to qualify for the upcoming edition.

“I think that if you get the statistics of the U-17 World Cup, Africa are in front of South America and Europe. One of their countries always reach semi-finals,” he said. But Amadeu feels the competition will be tough this time around.

The 52-year-old has put in well-designed hard work into practice for last two years, the result of which was evident in their dominant performance in the U-17 South American Championship in March.

Latest sensation Vinicius Junior was the leading goal scorer (7) and the player of the tournament as they won seven of their matches and drew the other two en route to the title.