HARD TO BUILD STRONG TEAM IN SEVEN MONTHS, SAYS INDIA COACH

GURGAON: India’s FIFA U-17 World Cup team coach Luis Norton de Matos refused to predict his side’s chances in the upcoming tournament, saying that instead of thinking about the results the country should take it as “a first step for the future”. India are drawn in a tough Group A along with former champions Ghana, Colombia and United States of America, and de Matos dropped enough hints that his side may not reach the knock-out stage of the competition. “It is difficult to build a strong team in seven months but we have done what we can in this short time. There is a gap between India and the other teams, say from Europe and South America,” said de Matos. “So, I don’t think much about the results and chances . I see this World Cup as a step forward for the future (for India). India can build on this experience.”