‘It’s always tough to play on home soil’
FIFA U17 WORLD CUP Football legends kickoff proceedings with exhibition match, urge Indian colts to handle pressure on a positive note
in a World Cup in any sports discipline is perhaps the most exciting and enthralling scenario for anyone, but getting to do it at an age of 16 or below, the opportunity is bound to be plainly stupendous.
The stepping stone for a handful of them would get underway next month, when this maximum city will opens its doors for the Fifa U-17 World Cup, and former Nigerian international Emmanuel Amuneke stated that this was an opportunity that the young colts should not let go as they’ll be playing at home.
Speaking at a press conference after the trophy unveiling ceremony at the DY Patil Stadium on Wednesday, Amuneke’s opinion found backing from other legends of the game as well, including former France defender Marcel Desailly who had won the World Cup on home turf back in 1998.
Also present at the unveiling were retired internationals Fernando Morientes of Spain, Mexico’s Jorge Campos and the iconic Carlos Valderamma of Colombia.
“The Indian team playing at home is very special,” said Desailly. “They should be very well prepared physically and psychologically because it’s tough to play on home soil. We won the 1998 World Cup on home soil because we were able to bring out the positive from that pressure.”
Valderamma, too, admitted that it was indeed a rare chance in front of global agents and scouts. “For the Indian under-17 national team, this is a huge opportunity,” said Valderamma.
“Someone asked how a player from here could go to play for Real Madrid someday, well this is your opportunity! All the big scouts and big agents will be here. The whole world would be watching. The team should enjoy and take the opportunity. You don’t get too many opportunities in football.”
There have been instances where U-17 players have failed to go through the ranks and represent the country in the U-19, U-21 or the senior level, but Amuneke, who is well-acquainted with the hardships that one has to under- take to lift a major trophy, said he expects the Indians to make a mark. “We all hope and pray that in the near future we can travel back to India and be privileged enough to watch the senior team,” he said.
Talismanic striker Morientes, who was just 21 when Spanish giants Real Madrid swooped him from Real Zaragoza, said it was important for the teenagers to get their basics right. “The most important thing is the foundation,” he said. “It’s very important to enjoy and to realise that only a selected few will be able to get into such clubs (Real Madrid).
Hosts India have been pitted alongside United States of America, Colombia and Ghana in Group A and will start off against the US on October 7.