Stalin: India ready to spring a surprise at U-17 World Cup
DEFENDER SAYS TEAM CONFIDENT DESPITE BEING LABELLED UNDERDOGS
ndia defender Sanjeev Stalin said that despite starting the U-17 Fifa World Cup as underdogs, they are ready to “surprise everyone” when the tournament starts on Friday.
“We are confident in our collective ability as a team going into the FIFA U-17 World Cup. We will play to win and we will give our opponent a tough fight. We understand that we are underdogs in our group, but we have plans to surprise everyone,” Stalin said.
India are placed in Group A along with the United States, Ghana and Colombia. They take on the United States on Friday.
“It is a historic moment for Indian Football and every Indian in general,” Stalin said about their opening game.
“We need the support of our 12th man — the fans — to cheer for us in numbers when we play against the US. It is not only our Fifa World Cup, this belongs to every Indian and every Indian is part of this amazing moment.”
The Bengaluru boy brushed aside talk of pressure, saying this is a “good type of pressure” and he is soaking it all in.
“Pressure is part and parcel of an athlete’s life. The pressure to perform is always there, be it in a big tournament or a comparatively less one. As athletes we have to deal with pressure and although obviously there is pressure before the Fifa U-17 World Cup, it is a good type of pressure which personally helps to motivate me,” he said.
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“Any pressure which drives me to perform better even than my potential is good pressure. The good pressure helps me to keep motivated and inspired. It helps me to perform even better in tight situations as it provides me with an extra drive to go all out,” he added.
Meanwhile, the England, Chile and Iraq under-17 football teams will be special guests when the Durga Puja festival’s immersion carnival is held in Kolkata today.
Sources said these teams, slated to play their Group F matches at the revamped Salt Lake Stadium, will be present during the event.
“England, Chile and Mexico teams will be there for the procession. Since Mexico are arriving on Wednesday, they will unfortunately miss out,” a source told IANS. Mexico complete Group F with the city also hosting one Group E tie between Japan and New Caledonia.
While Iraq and Chile are already in the city, England are expected to arrive today from Mumbai where they were training.
England played a practice match against New Zealand on Sunday. The Steve Coopercoached side won 3-2. All six teams were invited join the festivities before the Durga Puja began.
Besides the six group matches, the eastern metropolis will also host one round-of-16 match, one quarter-final, a third-place match and the final at Salt Lake Stadium.
The final of the showpiece event is on October 28.