I am a bit skeptical in the lack of Quality opposition that this U-17 has faced past 6 odd months. We need to have matches against proper and high ranking national football teams going forward as the time is very less for a bunch of boys who has just been picked in the last 2 years
In that case games against USA,South Korea,Malaysia in May should be a good indicator of their preparation. The international teams they have played so far are Bahrain,Iran,Lebanon and Botswana apart from decent academies like Frankfurt,Redbull,Villareal,Bidwets etc. They now definitely need stronger opponents
AFC Championship later this year will clear doubts. If we can't make the semis expect an embarrassing thrashing every match in the WC. But if we do, I would hope for the kids to atleast put up a fight.
lets not hype. The preparations have only been to most a couple of proper years for Indian players. While top Asian teams have such a good domestic structure that they are being nourished for long. So difference shall always be evident unless we have some extra-ordinary individuals in our team who might turn out to symbolize a changing Indian football team. But the possibility of that is quite low to be honest.
Also this pool of players in such less. Unless we have a proper domestic structure for youth , no matter what we are not going to improve. And we should have atleast a big pool of players to choose from at every age group
At the end of the day, IMO, the results do not matter that much. This is the under-17 level, what matters here is that the players will probably the best batch of Indian players ever, mentally. They will know what it is like to play in a World Cup and will probably want to push to make it again. At the same time, development is what takes stage here so identifying the players with the most potential will be important and also getting these lads to foreign academies.
Does not matter if India end 0-0-3 in the World Cup, as long as we are able to identify some players who can make the step up in the future.
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Apparently though he has been shaky for the under-18s in league play but he only arrived recently from Portugal so he has plenty of time.
The international teams they have played so far are Bahrain,Iran,Lebanon and Botswana apart from decent academies like Frankfurt,Redbull,Villareal,Bidwets etc. They now definitely need stronger opponents
lets not hype. The preparations have only been to most a couple of proper years for Indian players. While top Asian teams have such a good domestic structure that they are being nourished for long. So difference shall always be evident unless we have some extra-ordinary individuals in our team who might turn out to symbolize a changing Indian football team. But the possibility of that is quite low to be honest.
Also this pool of players in such less. Unless we have a proper domestic structure for youth , no matter what we are not going to improve. And we should have atleast a big pool of players to choose from at every age group
Does not matter if India end 0-0-3 in the World Cup, as long as we are able to identify some players who can make the step up in the future.