AIFF Media Team

NEW DELHI: With India hosting its first ever FIFA World Cup, the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017 India, less than a year away, the Indian U-17 World Cup squad has been on an exposure campaign facing the likes of Brazil, Russia, and Norway.

When the Indian squad was on an exposure trip to Europe and Africa, Nicolai Adam’s boys clashed swords against Luxembourg, Norway and had a run-in against Africa’s Botswana. Not only that, the Indian Colts squared up against Club Teams such as Germany’s Bayern 04 Leverkusen, Norway’s Stabaek FC and South Africa’s Black Aces.

In a first of a double-header against Luxembourg, the Indian U-17 World Cup Squad succumbed by a solitary goal. However, in the second match, the Indian Colts proved their acumen on the pitch and defeated the European Team 1-0 courtesy of Abhijit Sarkar’s 50^th minute strike.

Against Norway, the Indian Colts went down fighting 2-0 even after Sanjeev Stalin was given marching orders in the 50^th minute for a rash lunge, enabling Norway to score two goals in the remainder of the match.

However, the Indian Colts blasted 10 goals past Botswana in a one-sided 10-1 win. While Abhijit Sarkar scored a mammoth seven goals for India, Komal scored a brace and Sanjeev added one.

Even when Nicolai Adam’s boys faced Teams such as 5 times World Champions Brazil, Russia, South Africa and China in the BRICS U-17 Football Tournament, the Indian Colts proved that they were no pushovers on the big stage and not only gave a stern fight to the opposition but ensured their competitiveness against top Teams.

The Team promises much but as Nicolai puts it, “the challenge has just begun.”