‘Hard to build strong team in 7 months’

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, beginning on October 6.

“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 but I know my players will give their best. That is what they can do. I see this World Cup as a step forward for the future (for India). India can build on this experience,” said the Portuguese tactician when asked about the home team’s chances.

De Matos, who took over as head coach of the U-17 team in March after the sacking of Nicolai Adam, said, “I was in Egypt in 1997 edition. New Zealand were participating for the first time and they lost all their group matches, including a 0-13 thrashing by Spain. But since then they have done very well at this level. India should be thinking to do like that.”

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