Bengaluru: It’s a landmark year for football in India. The U-17s represent the first Indian side to ever take part on the global stage at the World Cup next month. But outside that bubble, there is much going on that could influence the composition of India’s primary youth line-up in November.
The India U-19s, coached by AIFF Academy head Floyd Pinto have joined the U-17 side in the city and will prove a hardy test when the two teams face off at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium on Sunday. A chance to show selectors which cubs can roar their way into the squad for next year’s AFC U-19 Championships in Indonesia. The U-19 Colts must finish within the top two of their tough qualification group for Indonesia, containing Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and Turkmenistan.
The fledgling group is now focused on living up to their favourites tag at the SAFF U-18 Championships in Bhutan, starting September 18.
“It’s true that AFC is the ultimate competition you’d be judged on. We want to use SAFF as a stepping stone for it. SAFF is not going to be easy – it is a different experience for the boys to be playing under the pressure of being favourites,” Pinto said. In 2015, India lost the final to minnows Nepal on penalties and the 31-year-old coach emphasized on playing against high-quality opposition to maintain rhythm, like the match against Bengaluru FC, which the Cubs lost 1-0 on Friday.
“We’re planning to play like we’re playing Saudi Arabia in every match. When we played BFC, it ideally represents Saudi Arabia, because they are one of the toughest teams we’ve played so far,” the AFC ‘A’ license holding coach said.
“We want to create a competition for places. Everyone has accepted that and is working hard to prove themselves,” he summed up.
The makeup of India's U-19 team in the AFC qualifiers is something to look out for. However, Sunday’s game should be a probing marker in that selection process.
