Yet, that's exactly what happened to the 2017 U-17 World Cup men's side. It is quite conceivable that if things go wrong, India could walk away from this tournament with three losses. Jeakson Singh Thounaojam (second from right) scored India's only goal at a FIFA event, in the group stage match against Colombia. Morocco and Brazil are tough opponents as well, but perhaps not as demanding as the Americans were.
The USA was the toughest opponent India's U-17 women's side could have faced in their debut in front of a raucous, demanding crowd. What was on display at the Kalinga last night might not have been the same, but there were glimpses. Lynda Kom did no damage to her reputation, receiving the ball and spraying it on to her wide forwards, who weren't always on the opposing defender's shoulder to take advantage.Įven Natalia Astrain, Team USA's head coach, noted that she had prepared for an incredibly organized Indian side after scouting them ahead of the tournament. Indeed, in the pre-tournament friendlies that took place before the World Cup, India looked an organized, compact side, with an ability to surprise their opposition. Dennerby himself did admit that a few heads dropped, but at times it's easy to forget these are 16-17-year-olds new to the international stage. Spotting the weak link in the US defence and targeting it repeatedly, despite an ever worsening scoreline, points to a side that keeps going.
That move in itself displayed a few positives India could take from the game. Was it nerves? Possibly - it was telling that India's best moment (Neha being put through in the box by Nitu Linda) came early on, before the USA could intimidate them properly. We can have a much better game than this against Morocco."īrave words after an 8-0 evisceration? Perhaps, but there's something behind it.Įven if the United States weren't pushed to their limits last night, it was clear India were better than the performance being displayed. Dennerby continues to be positive, saying after the match: "The good thing is there are two more games to go and I hope we can show everyone that India is much, much better than this. Yet, the attitude of the one man who knows them best remains bullish. Clearly, many have watched ninety minutes of this side and resigned themselves to minimal expectations.
0 kommentar(er)
