New Delhi [India], May 8 (ANI): The India U-17 group has put up some spectacular outcomes throughout their preparatory matches in Spain, however the focus stays squarely on the group’s upcoming marketing campaign within the AFC U-17 Asian Cup, which will get underway subsequent month.
India have performed 4 follow matches since shifting camp to Spain, profitable two, whereas shedding and drawing one every. The Blue Colts have confronted Atletico de Madrid U-17s (4-1), Leganes U-18s (0-2), Atletico de Madrid U-16s (2-1), and Real Madrid U-18s (3-3) to date. Two extra matches in opposition to Getafe U-18s and Atletico de Madrid U-17s are but to be performed.
While sounding optimistic concerning the efficiency that his wards have dished out within the Iberian Peninsula to date, head coach Bibiano Fernandes careworn the necessity to maintain centered on the street forward with a view to get the specified ends in the AFC U-17 Asian Cup subsequent month.
“I’ve always told the boys that it is a process and that the main goal for us is the AFC U-17 Asian Cup. We must maintain our focus. The performances have been good so far, but we are not looking at the results at the moment. We are looking ahead to improve as a team. We have told the boys to be humble and to learn the right attitude. We have to ensure that they don’t get relaxed after such results and keep playing good football, ” he mentioned.
India have been positioned in Group D of the AFC U-17 Asian Cup, the place they’ll play Vietnam (June 17), Uzbekistan (June 20), and Japan (June 23). Bibiano’s boys will journey to Germany on May 16 for one more two weeks of follow matches, earlier than shifting base to Thailand at first of June, to acclimatise forward of the U-17 Asian Cup.
“We’ve had some good results but it’s very easy for the boys, at this stage, to get distracted. It is a natural tendency amongst humans to get complacent. We are trying our best to keep them on their toes, and the coaching team is constantly reminding them that this is just the process. The main stage is yet to come,” he mentioned.
The India U-17 boys, who haven’t performed in opposition to such illustrious golf equipment earlier than, have been excited to play in opposition to prime sides like Atletico de Madrid or Real Madrid. However, the idea slowly got here into the gamers that they’ll additionally carry out in opposition to them.
“When we played our first match against Atletico U-17, the result that we got (4-1) gave the initial belief to the boys that they could perform at that level. They don’t really need motivation ahead of such matches. They are all fans of these clubs and have been watching their matches since they were kids,” mentioned Fernandes.
The India U-17s have been additionally visited by FIFA World Cup winner and former Spain striker Fernando Torres, who’s now head coach of Atletico de Madrid Juvenil A, alongside together with his teaching employees, who even took a few coaching periods with the boys.
“We had some conversations about him (Torres) coming to our training, and sure enough, he came and visited us a few days later, saw our training, and even acquiesced to a lot of photo requests. It was a dream come true for the boys. I am sure they are looking forward to more such opportunities as well,” mentioned Fernandes. (ANI)