Official Mascot Kheleo with the U17 world cup trophy

The Local Organising Committee and FIFA have today announced the dates of a unique Trophy Experience for India’s first major FIFA event – the Under-17 FIFA World Cup India 2017.

AIFF President and Chairman of the LOC, Praful Patel said: “The Trophy Experience will mark the last phase of our event promotion and it is very important, because it will give the fans around the country the opportunity to get up close to the same Official Winner’s Trophy that the captain of the winning team of the FIFA U-17 World Cup will be lifting on 28 October in Kolkata. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance and we hope that people can come in large numbers to the display locations in the Host Cities.”

Also Read: India U17 hold Chile U17 to a 1-1 draw

Over the next few months, millions of fans in India will get to see the Official Winners’ Trophy ‘in person’ and pose in front of it for photos and selfies.

“This initiative is about bringing the excitement of the FIFA U-17 World Cup Trophy Experience closer to India’s fans in the run up to this milestone competition,” said FIFA’s Chief Commercial Officer Philippe Le Floc’h. “The trophy embodies both the dreams of the best U-17 players in the world and those of millions of Indian fans who will be hosting the football world in October.”

India are placed in Group A hosted by New Delhi and are alongside USA, Ghana, Colombia.

The six venues and the dates for trophy experiences are:

1. New Delhi: 17-22 August
2. Guwahati: 24-29 August
3. Kolkata: 31 August – 5 September
4. Mumbai: 6-10 September
5. Goa: 14-19 September
6. Kochi: 21-26 September

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India looked to pick up their performance and salvage some pride against Chile after the two big losses against Mexico and Colombia in the 4-nation tournament

After settling their nerves in the initial period where they had conceded early goals in the previous encounters, India looked to be gaining in control. In the 23^rd minute, India came close when Sanjeev Stalin’s free kick was cleared off by Chilean defence. After showing great restrains in the back, India finally conceded in the 40^th minute and once again it was from a set piece situation. India’s inability to deal with set piece seems to be exposed in this tournament.

First half ended at the score of 1-0 with India once again trailing at the break for the third consecutive times in the tournament. Second half began with India starting positively in search of the equaliser. In the 55 minute, India went agonisingly close to levelling the target when midfielder Aniket Jadhav attempted a shot from left flank that went inches over the bar.

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India continued to press hard in the second half and finally in the 84^th minute they were rewarded when Nongdamba Naorea scored the equaliser. But soon things turned ugly as India were reduced to 10 men, when Aniket got himself sent off with just four minutes left to end of regulation time. With last few minutes left and India having conceded late goals in the tournament things looked tense. However India held on to their nerves and the match ended at 1-1.

In other game, Mexico overcame 1-3 deficit to salvage a 4-4 draw against Colombia

Final Score: India 1(Nongdamba Naorea 84′) – 1 Chile (Matias Silva 40′)

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India went down again, this time it was 3-1

India were expected to improve from their disastrous 5-1 performance in the opening game against the host Mexico, facing a formidable Colombia team that held Chile to a 3-3 draw the other night.

India once again started the game poorly in the defence; a fluffed corner meant Colombia U17 took the lead in just the 8^th minute through their forward Juan David Vidal. In the 20^th minute India came close to levelling the score when from a free-kick opportunity, Rahul Kannoly’s attempt on goal went inches over the bar. India pressed for equaliser but at the brink of the half time Colombia scored again through striker Deyman Cortes as both the sides enter the break with India trailing by 2 goals.

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The second half started similarly to the first one, India’s defensive woes continued as another set-piece error saw Colombian midfielder Fabian Angel slot home the team’s third goal just couple of minutes into the game. The match saw no goals after that as the game ended at 3-0 score line. Apoor performance considering the fact that they are set to face the Colombian side again within three months for the U17 World Cup.

Earlier in the day, host Mexico defeated the Chile 3-1 to lead the table with six points. India will now face Chile on August 6

Final Score:

India 0 – 3 Chile (Juan David Vidal 8′, Deyman Cortes 45′, Fabian Angel 47′)

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A Disappointing game for the Indian colts

India started the game on a worst possible scenario when they conceded a goal in the very first minute. Mexican striker Roberto de la Rosa opened the scoring to put his side in front.

Eight minutes later, Komal Thatal came close as he dribbled past a defender but his final shot went straight to Keeper. In the 23^rd minute, this year’s U-17 CONCACAF Champions best player Ian Torres scored the second goal to double the lead for the host.  Four minutes later, Sanjeev Stalin’s curling freekick was palmed away by the host custodian to deny Indians the opening. Both the sides went into the break with the host leading by 2-0.

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The second half started well for the visitors when they were awarded a penalty in the 50^th minute. Amarjit Singh converted the spot kick comfortably to reduce the deficit to one. However few minutes later Mexico restored their two goal advantage when Andre Perez shot from inside the box beat the keeper to make it 3-1.

Two quick goals from Roberto de la Rosa late in the game made it even worse as Mexico romped home with a 5-1 score line. A disappointing game by Indians would have left a lot to Ponder for coach Luis Norton de Mateo. India’s next opponent in this 4-Nation tournament will be Colombo Tomorrow (August 4) before they take on Chile in the final game (August 6).The kick-off is slated for IST 11PM.

Final Score: India 1 (Amarjit Singh 52’) – 5 Mexico (Roberto de la Rosa 1’ 88’ 90’, Ian Torres 23’, Andre Perez 58’)

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India to face Mexico, Colombia, Chile

The tournament named as Torneo de 4 Naciones will feature four teams- host Mexico, India, Colombia and Chile.  Indian U-17 World Cup Squad will lock horns against Mexico U-17s tomorrow (August 03, 2017) in the first match at Centro de Alto Rendimiento in Mexico City, Mexico. The kick-off for which is slated for 8:30 PM IST.

There after India will face Colombia on August 04 and Chile on August 06.This tournament will serve as a perfect preparation for the Indian squad to test their strength against world cup qualified teams, one of which will be in their own group. India is grouped in Group A alongside Colombia, Ghana and USA in the world Cup.

Also Read: Kerala names Vineeth as Youth icon

The under-17 team has been heavily backed by the AIFF in an effort to field a strong competitive side for the world Cup. The All India Football Federation has provided the Indian U-17 World Cup Squad with exposure trips all over Europe, Organised tough challenges like BRICS cup etc. Although the performances has been encouraging, winning games hasn’t been a regular sights, with less than 100 days to go for the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017 in India, the AIFF is leaving no stone unturned to provide maximum exposure to the Indian U-17 World Cup Team.

India has been drawn in Group A of the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017 India along with USA, Colombia and Ghana. The FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017 India kicks-off on October 06, 2017.

India’s fixtures in the Torneo de 4 Naciones Tournament:

August 03: India vs Mexico

August 04: India vs Colombia

August 06: India vs Chile

The post India U17 gears up for 4-nation Tournament in Mexico appeared first on Football Counter.

New Delhi: The All India Football Federation President Mr Praful Patel along with the AIFF’s General Secretary Mr Kushal Das met the Indian U-17 World Cup Squad on the sidelines of a training session at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in the Capital today (July 24, 2017).

Speaking on the occasion, AIFF President Praful Patel said, “You boys are the team for the future and the whole nation will be supporting you.”

“The whole country is watching you boys, this is the time to put in the hard work and make yourself and the nation proud,” he stated.

“Play on the pitch as lions. Play without being tensed and without any pressure”, Praful Patel added.

Praful Patel’s inspirational words left the Indian Colts enamoured and the boys thanked the AIFF President for his unparalleled support.

“Patel-sir lifted our spirits high. His words left us all charged up and we will work hard to make every Indian proud in the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017 India”, said Sanjeev Stalin.

“It was a special moment for us when we met him (Mr Patel) and as always he left all of us inspired with his words”, added Prabhsukhan Gill.

India has been drawn in Group A of the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017 India along with USA, Colombia and Ghana. The FIFA U-17 World Cup India  2017 kicks-off from October 06, 2017.

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