We don’t get more matches. If we perform well (in the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers), it will be good for the future players and also for us in the team. It will be vital for us
fiers, he quipped, “We can’t sit here and say (whether the draw is favourable). We are preparing for it and the other teams are also preparing for it. Like I heard that Myanmar has a German coach. We will give our 100 per cent”.
The East Bengal player also exuded confidence that the national team will do well.
“The more options are better. Robin (Singh) is fit and has come back. With his coming, options are more,” he said on the inclusion of fit-again striker Robin Singh who was out for seven months last year after picking up a knee injury.
The Asian Cup final tournament will be contested by 24 teams, having been expanded from the 16-team format that was since 2004.
The I-league has also gone on a break for international football and the members of the senior team had their first training session with national coach Stephen Constantine on February 13 at the Andheri Sports Complex in Mumbai.
15 players had already joined the national camp on February 13 while the Indian players selected for the national camp from Hero I-league club teams Mohun Bagan and JSW Bengaluru FC joined the camp on Wednesday after their AFC Cup encounter, which ended 2-1 in favour of Bengaluru FC on Tuesday. NEW DELHI: The venue for the final of the U-17 World Cup is likely to be decided once the final round of FIFA inspection starting March 22 is complete, sources close to the Local Organising Committee (LOC) said.
A FIFA delegation, led by FIFA Head of Events Jaime Yarza, will visit India from March 21-27 for the final inspection of the facilities in the six cities which will host matches of the Under-17 Football World Cup in October.
The team will land in New Delhi on March 21 and inspect the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium and the training grounds the next day. It will hold a press conference here on March 22.
“On the last day of our inspection, the match schedule could be announced,” an official said on Wednesday.
“Like where the opener will be held, and semi final and final details,” he added.
The six cities will also have four training grounds each. The draw of the tournament will be held on July 7.