The U-17 World Cup to be held from October 6 to 28 will feature 24 teams battling it out for supremacy across six venues in the country. PTIIndia is all set for its maiden tryst with FIFA competition finals with an ambitious dream of unleashing a football revolution in the country.
The U-17 World Cup to be held from October 6 to 28 will feature 24 teams battling it out for supremacy across six venues in the country, including Kochi.
The grand spectacle could well serve as a wake up call for the 'world football's sleeping giant' and the All India Football Federation is confident of getting the game's footing deep into the masses with the successful conduct of the age-group tournament.
It is also certain that the infrastructure development, not just at the six main venues of Kolkata, New Delhi, Kochi, Goa, Guwahati, and Navi Mumbai, but also at the practice grounds in these cities, will leave a rich legacy and things will change for the better as far as the growth of the game in the country is concerned.
The lack of infrastructure, investment, and grassroots development of the game have been impediments to the growth of the 'most popular sport on the planet' in India. Hopefully, this championship will set the ball rolling and lead to the next generation passionately embracing the sport.
Herculean task
Moving on to the on-field action, it will be a Herculean task for the hosts to advance to the round of 16 from a formidable Group A, which also features the US, Ghana, and Colombia. As per the tournament format, only the top two sides from the six groups and the four best third-placed sides will progress to the next stage.
Indian coach Luis Norton de Matos has been realistic in his assessment that his boys clearly lacked exposure compared to the rest in the fray. He has promised the Indian colts would play their heart out, and with a partisan crowd to egg them on, they are expected to put up a gritty performance.
The favorites
European champions Spain, Germany, Brazil, England, and African challengers Ghana will be looking to justify their billing as pre-tournament favorites. The mighty Germans will be keen to add one global title, which is missing from their rich collection of silverware.
Spain, led by Barcelona B forward Abel Ruiz, are high on confidence after winning another European U-17 title in Croatia recently. The absence of star striker Vinicius Junior is a big blow to the hopes of Brazil, but the Selecao have enough firepower to win their fourth title.
Ghana have traditionally done well in the age-group tournament and they possess the arsenal to give anyone a run for their money.
The tournament offers a chance for the football lovers of Kerala to watch world-class players in action. The opening Group D tie between Spain and Brazil at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi has been branded as the marquee game of the group stage. Kochi will stage six group matches in addition to a pre-quarterfinal and a quarterfinal each.
The next three week promises action aplenty and the focus will shift to football despite the Indian cricket team scheduled to take on Australia and New Zealand in the shorter versions of the game. The franchise-based Indian Super League has been largely successful in the past, and the U-17 World Cup is expected to be a big hit with the Indian public.
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