New Delhi: Indian players are yet to master the art of converting goal-scoring opportunities, head coach Luis Norton de Matos said ahead of their opening U-17 World Cup game here on Friday, largely thanks to their inexperience of top-level age specific tournaments.
De Matos said the players must improve on their finishing to improve as individuals as well as a team. “European players take one out of three opportunities received. But Indian players require six-seven chances to score,” he said.
The 63-year-old said exposure to competitive action could only solve the problem, adding that it takes years to develop the skill. “In countries like Portugal, USA you find a seven-year-old kid playing the game and when they come to the World Cup they already have 10 years of experience. In India we are lacking in this part.
“It is a long process, how to stay composed in front of goal and finish a move. Our players are low on experience. But they balance it with their willingness to learn,” he said.
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