FIFA U-17 World Cup: We will aim to win every game, says Matos

NEW DELHI: With just 10 days to go for the first-ever FIFA World Cup in India, All India Football Federation president Praful Patel said the country was ready for the event.

Speaking in the Capital on Tuesday, Patel said, “India is ready, we have 100 per cent readiness on infrastructure and the national team is geared up to participate in the World Cup. Added head coach Luis Norton de Matos, “I’m sure that this is perhaps the strongest team India have fielded in this age group. The competitive experience is a big factor at this level but I’m very confident about this team. I’m very happy at how the team has shaped up.

“It is difficult of course but my pressure is to prove that Indian football players can play alongside teams of the highest level. In football there are no impossibilities and we will enter the field like lions to try and win. We are aiming for victory in every game. They know their responsibility,” he said.

In Margao, Goa, India captain Amarjit Singh had said that his players had worked extremely hard in the last couple of years and were not afraid of facing tough opponents.

“Under our new Portuguese coach, we have learnt a lot of new things. Foreign tour has also helped us to be mentally tough against tough opponents. And now we are not afraid to play against the tough opponents,” said Amarjit.

India are placed in Group A of the World Cup alongside USA, Colombia and Ghana.

The hosts face USA on October 6, followed by Colombia and Ghana on October 9 and October 12 respectively at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.

“Our plan is to put the best foot forward for the upcoming tournament and play good matches. We have worked really hard and are capable of playing well. We can build good image of out team in the next few weeks during the tournament,” said the skipper.