New Delhi: Indian players are yet to master the art of converting goal-scoring opportunities, head coach Luis Norton de Matos said ahead of their opening U-17 World Cup game here on Friday, largely thanks to their inexperience of top-level age specific tournaments.
De Matos said the players must improve on their finishing to improve as individuals as well as a team. “European players take one out of three opportunities received. But Indian players require six-seven chances to score,” he said.
The 63-year-old said exposure to competitive action could only solve the problem, adding that it takes years to develop the skill. “In countries like Portugal, USA you find a seven-year-old kid playing the game and when they come to the World Cup they already have 10 years of experience and In India we are lacking in this part.
“It is a long drawn process, how to stay composed in front of goal and finish a move. Our players are low on experience. But they balance it with their willingness to learn,” the Portuguese added.
