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Hosting their first ever global football tournament India had lot to prove to the world, not just in showing its capabilities in football field but also off the field that they are ready to manage bigger tournament.

The recently concluded FIFA U17 World Cup did manage to live up to the expectation or one could say we even manage to surpass some. Breaking the highest attendance record of U17 tournament previously held by China in the inaugural edition. With FIFA president seemingly satisfied with the successful organisation of the World Cup, India is now looking forward to try and host for few more FIFA events in coming future. With AIFF President Praful Patel showing interest in bidding for FIFA U20 World Cup and FIFA Club World Cup, India is all set to take the big leap in world football.

While India played their first FIFA world Cup game against USA, Jaekson Singh became the first and the only Indian player to score in a FIFA world cup.

Let’s take a look at some of the stats and record made in this world Cup:

Attendance of the entire FIFA U17 World Cup Tournament: 1,347,133 (Highest ever in any age group FIFA events)

Total Goals scored in a FIFA U17 World Cup: 183 (Most ever)

Goals per match ratio: 3.52 (highest ever)

Most Goals scored in a final: 7 (England 5-2 Spain)

Top 3 Goal scorers:

Rhian Brewster [ENG] – (8 Goals)

Lassana N’Diaye [MLI] & Abel Ruiz [SPN] – (6 Goals)

Golden Boot: Rhian Brewster [ENG] – (8 Goals)

Golden Glove: Gabriel Brazao [BRA]

Golden Ball: Phil Foden [ENG], Silver Ball: Sergio Gomez [SPN], Bronze Ball: Rhian Brewster [ENG]

North Korea and Chile are the only teams that failed to score even once in this World Cup

FIFA Fair Play award: Brazil

Also Read: FC Goa slash ticket prices for home games of ISL 4

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Over 46000 fans flocked to the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium which included the new Indian Ultras Group ‘The Blue Pilgrims’. Prior to the kick-off, Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted the players which was followed by the National Anthems of both the outfits, leaving the whole stadium in awe as the Indian U17 side became the very first Indian team to play in a FIFA event.

Right from the beginning, USA looked composed and sharper than Luis Matos’ side. Josh Sargent and Andrew Carleton created numerous opportunities in first few minutes. Sargent almost opened the scoring but Dheeraj Singh came on top with a superb save.

India’s joy was short lived when USA were awarded a penalty in the 30th minute after Captain Josh Sargent was fouled inside the box. Sargent himself stepped up and opened the scoring with a calm penalty. Although, India conceded, the Blue Tigers responded brilliantly as the trio of Komal Thatal, Nintho Meetei and Abhijit Sarkar showed glimpses of spark upfront.

USA continued from where they had left as they swiftly took their chances. The second goal came near the hour mark when Chris Durkin’s left footed shot took a slight deflection of Anwar Ali and went past Dheeraj Singh, who was spectacular tonight against the USA.

The introduction of Nongdamba Naorem added more spark as India kept hunting for a goal. Naorem brilliantly danced past couple of players but couldn’t get a shot on target. A few minutes later, Komal’s corner found Anwar Ali whose effort hit the post. USA utilized Anwar’s miss and launched a thunderous counter-attack which led to the third goal when Andrew Carleton cut Dheeraj Singh and wrapped up the game in style.

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With more than 20000 school childrens present at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium for the opening game itself, the atmosphere was nothing short of electrifying. The match started off brightly with a superb end-to-end play display from both the outfits.

Colombia’s Robert Mejia attempted the first shot on target when his powerful shot from the edge of the box was easily saved by Ghana’s Custodian Danlad Ibrahim. A few minutes later, Ghana’s best performer of the night Sadiq Ibrahim fancied his luck from range when a poor pass from Colombia’s Goalkeeper Kevin Mier got intercepted by Black Starlets’ star man.

After a poor start, Colombia changed the match tempo and started to sit back in hope to launch a counter-attacking move. The first of those two almost opened the scoring for the Colombians. Leandro Campaz had a great opportunity to break the deadlock, not once, but twice. His first attempt went inches wide before he was set up again by Etilso Martinez.

But once again the attacker failed to beat Colombia’s Mier who was terrific between the sticks for the majority of the first-half. Ghana’s high intensity and free-flowing attack finally gave them the lead they deserved when a superb build-up play from Emmanuel Toku and Captain Eric Ayiah set up Sadiq Ibrahim, who comfortably tapped in from close range to send the crowd wild.

If the first-half saw a better-half of Ghana’s Sadiq Ibrahim, the second-half surely proved out to be his best one in Ghana’s colors. Quite reminiscent of the first goal’s build-up, it was Sadiq himself who set up Ayiah with a deadly ball across the goal, but the Ghanian Captain only managed to poke his effort wide.

A few moments later, Sadiq was once again denied by Colombia’s Custodian Mier before Los Cafeteros came close again to open their account. Yadir Meneses missed a glorious chance before substitute Santiago Barrero blasted his effort wide from six yards.

The Black Starlets defended for their lives in the last quarter of the game and registered a hard-fought 1-0 win to kick-off their campaign on a positive note.

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USA Coach John Hackworth admitted India is a “very hard-working team” and it will be a closely-contested match between both the outfits.

“We had played them in India two years back. The result was in our favour but it wasn’t indicative of the manner they play. I am sure they have improved in last year.”

“In this age, there is information all over the world. Of course, they do not know the exact team we will play. But there is a lot of information out and both teams know much about the other,” he smiled.

The pressure of playing in a tournament of the magnitude of the World Cup is huge especially at such a young age but Team India is totally up for it. “Our players are ready mentally. I tell them that they will never forget this moment. They must enjoy every moment of it be it the ambience, the stadium or the match. It’s not the end of the world if results don’t come our way but I’m sure they will give it their all and make all Indians proud.”

India will play the USA later tonight at 08:00 pm IST at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in what will be the first time that an Indian team will be playing the FIFA World Cup.

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Coach Matos felt it is a big achievement for the whole nation when the World Cup will go underway tomorrow, the Coach was quoted as saying: It’s a big achievement for India to host such a Tournament. This is a first big step and I am very happy to be a part of it.

When asked about their opponents, Matos said: “USA, Ghana and Colombia are great teams. We are going to fight and we are going to create history. When you analyze the USA team, they are very strong. They have a strong philosophy of attacking.”

Matos also stated the importance of the fans and with the foundation of Indian Football Team Ultras ‘The Blue Pilgrims’, the atmosphere will be undoubtedly electrifying.

“We are hopeful to play with 12 people tomorrow, 11 players and the fans,” said Matos. “We are going to play as a team, as a unit,” he added.

The thing which concerned Matos was the killer instinct in front of the goal between India and the rest of the countries. “The problem is European players are quite experienced. They take 2-3 chance to score a goal, whereas, we take 7. This is a process,” Matos added.

Alike his Coach, Captain Amarjit Singh had put his faith and trust to the fans. He said: “Fans are everything for us. We have sacrificed many things in these two years. But after seeing the support from celebrities and fans, I am very delighted.”

Amarjit also described his long journey as two years ago he was a part of AIFF academy which helped him develop and made him what he is today. “My journey has been tremendous. Of course, I am missing my friends and family but it is a proud moment for me to represent my country in the World Cup.”

“The whole group is fully concentrated on the World Cup. Over 60000 fans will come tomorrow to support us. We’ll give our best,” Amarjit concluded.

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